News

Volvo Technology Transfer (VTT), a subsidiary of Volvo, is investing in Swedish company Chemrec to increase its involvement in the development of alternative fuels.

Chemrec produces gas from 'black liquor', a residual product from wood pulping. This 'synthesis gas' enables the extraction of vehicle fuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen, synthetic diesel and dimethyl ether.

Volvo says the next step is to produce the fuels themselves.  VTT president Anders Brännström explains: "The Volvo Group has no intention of becoming a fuel supplier but wishes instead to continue to conduct engine development on a broad front.

"On the other hand, we do want to participate in the development of new processes for the production of alternative fuels."

• Black liquor is usually incinerated in soda furnaces and the chemicals recovered have a relatively low energy and efficiency rating. However, Chemrec's process gasifies the black liquor and produces a number of by-products including synthesis gas, which has a higher efficiency rating.