Circa and Valmet to team on ReSolute project and future plants

In Norway, Circa and Valmet have signed a Heads of Agreement to realize and optimize the Furacell production process at scale through the ReSolute project and future large-scale plants. Valmet will be the main process technology and equipment supplier, and actively contribute to accelerating the development of Circa’s large-scale production plants. The cooperation considerably strengthens Circa’s ability to build and deliver its plan to become a large-scale producer of sustainable biochemicals.

The work has upgraded the ReSolute plant to target an annual production of 1,100 tonnes of biosolvent Cyrene, utilising internal energy supply from biochar created in the process, enhancing the sustainability profile of the plant. Following the design upgrade, the ReSolute plant will very closely resemble a small-scale version of the larger scale FC6 plant. A long-term strategic approach to development of the Furacell process will reduce the cost and timeline risk of future plants.

The agreed long-term objective is to develop deployable 10-15 thousand tonne per annum (ktpa) Furacell modules capable of operating separately or in multiples, depending on local feedstock and supporting infrastructure availability. By doing so, Circa will deliver on its primary objective of reaching +80 ktpa Cyrene production by 2030, complementing the Valmet vision to be a partner of choice in the rapidly expanding biochemical markets.