Sysav is examining the potential for carbon dioxide capture

Sysav has initiated a comprehensive pre study on carbon capture and storage (CCS) at its waste-to-energy plant in Malmö. CCS is a method for capturing and storing carbon dioxide — a measure that can both reduce fossil emissions and enable significant negative emissions.

The CCS technology could address the largest direct climate emissions from Sysav’s operations. It involves capturing carbon dioxide from flue gases, where the concentration of CO₂ is high. The captured carbon dioxide can then be safely stored underground or beneath the seabed, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere.

“With CCS, we have the opportunity to take a powerful climate action within a relatively short timeframe, and it could be a key measure to keep climate change at a manageable level as we transition to a sustainable society. However, the major investment required is currently a challenge for us,” says Magnus Pettersson, Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Sysav.

Sysav is one of the region’s largest energy producers. The waste-to-energy plant at Spillepengen supplies about 70% of the district heating used in Malmö and Burlöv and generates the equivalent of 10% of Malmö’s electricity consumption. The combustion of residual waste at the plant results in approximately 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually — around 40 percent from fossil sources, mainly plastics, and about 60 percent from biogenic sources, such as paper and food waste.

“Sysav continuously works to reduce the climate impact of its operations, including decreasing the amount of fossil material sent for energy recovery. With CCS, we would be able to remove both fossil and biogenic carbon dioxide emissions. By removing biogenic carbon dioxide, we can achieve so-called negative emissions as a result,” says Magnus Pettersson.

Pre study supported by Industriklivet

With support from the Swedish Energy Agency’s Industriklivet climate initiative, Sysav is launching a comprehensive pre study to explore the potential of CCS. The aim is to assess the technical, economic, and legal conditions and to identify the main alternatives for further evaluation. The study includes:

• Mapping and evaluation of capture technologies — both commercially available and under development

• In-depth studies of the most promising technologies

• Assessment of transport and storage options

• Analysis of the economic and legal conditions for implementation

The overarching pre study will run until March 2022. Following this, a more detailed study of the main alternatives is planned. If the studies show favorable conditions, an implementation project could lead to the installation of full-scale CO₂ capture at Sysav’s waste-to-energy plant, with commissioning around 2030. The project aims to capture and store 85–90 percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions.

About CCS

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) involves capturing carbon dioxide and converting it into liquid form using pressure and low temperature. It can then be safely stored underground or beneath the seabed, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.

About Industriklivet

Industriklivet provides support for the development of solutions to reduce process-related industrial emissions and technologies for achieving negative emissions. Through strategically important initiatives, Industriklivet supports the application of new technologies and innovative solutions within industry that contribute to a fossil-free society.

Senast uppdaterad 2025-10-30 09:42