FAQs

No, it is not. ZEQL is the name of an electrified, zero-emission manufacturing method for climate-neutral quicklime, co-owned by SMA Mineral and SaltX Technology. We have created a new factory concept based on SaltX innovation Electric Arc Calciner (EAC). The EAC technology makes it possible to manufacture quick lime in a new electrical and emission-free method. ZEQL is setting a new standard for the manufacturing of climate-neutral quick-lime.

ZEQL is a registered trademark jointly owned by the respective parties. Over time, the ZEQL concept will replace the fossil-fueled plants that SMA Mineral operates today. The electrification technology used in this concept may be used in other industrial processes but not under the name ZEQL.

ZEQL is an acronym for the words: Zero Emission Quicklime. It is pronounced like the English word sequel, which means continuation, consequence, and aftermath.

No, the factory and production method, called ZEQL, will primarily be placed on SMA:s existing quarries. Currently, SMA Mineral operates around ten existing limestone and dolomite quarries; over time, these plants will be replaced with brand-new electrified factories. With the new electrified process, opportunities are created to make use of all the limestone quarried - this means higher resource efficiency and a reduced need to extract new limestone.

Lime is a raw material on which society and many industries are completely dependent. Lime is needed to purify our drinking water, for steel, cement, and paper production. Quicklime is also used in the chemical industry and in agriculture.

The outdated manufacturing method for Quicklime releases enormous amounts of CO2. Partly because the kilns are heated with oil or coal and partly because the CO2 bound in the stone is released when heated. ZEQL completely eliminates all emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity and capturing CO2 in the same process. The CO2 is immediately ready for usage and/or sequestration.

The world's first climate-neutral lime factory will be built in northern Norway's Mo I Rana. We have plans for new plants in Sweden and outside of the Northern countries. As soon as we have new information about our expansion, we will communicate about it.

The energy consumption will be about the same as today; however, instead of using fossil fuels, the energy consumption will be in the form of renewable electricity. In addition, the producer will get the CO2 from the stone captured for about the same energy consumption.

Our new facilities will be in locations with good access to renewable energy from, for example, sun, wind, or hydropower. This is a key issue for the transformation of the entire industry. If the goal is to accelerate the reduction of CO2, electrification of the lime industry is a very effective route.

There are several things that differ. To begin with, it is important to highlight the importance of replacing fossil fuels in industries with renewable energy. There are two elementary differences; one is that the carbon dioxide captured from an electric heating process is much cleaner than if it comes from fossil heating. Where the carbon dioxide is dirty by particles from oil or coal, pure carbon dioxide can be disposed. The major difference is that the alternative, Carbon Capture Systems (CCS), is another large facility to be built that requires energy. It is also not as efficient in the collection of carbon dioxide. Our solution can separate the carbon dioxide directly when the material is heated.

An electrified calcination process produces 35% less carbon dioxide generated and captures 100% of the carbon dioxide released from the stone during heating. This makes it possible to manufacture quicklime that is totally free from any emissions.

With our new electric calcination method, quicklime can be produced without any emissions and our ambition is to entirely get rid of the CO2 footprint. However, we are depended on the carbon storage and usage technologies, which are a maturing market. So, depending on location and technology developments on the carbon market, different solutions may be used along the journey which may result in emissions.