Contributing to a circular economy at Kokkola

Challenge the practice is addressing: Boliden has been serving society for decades by recirculating its excess heat and chemicals, in addition to recycling large amounts of metal. The Kokkola Industrial Park in western Finland is one of Europe's best examples of how industrial synergies developed since the 1960s contribute to a circular economy – initially based on meeting practical needs and lowering costs.

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: Boliden sells the steam produced during the zinc roasting process to the municipal energy company, which uses the steam to generate electricity. In 2017, they produced 320.000 MWh of steam, which was used to generate electricity, district heating, and low-pressure steam for KIP industrial partners and local residents. This is equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 16.000 households. They also transport excess heat from the sulphuric acid plant to the municipal district heating system. In 2017, they delivered approximately 125.000 MWh of heat, enough to heat approximately 6.000 homes as well as some KIP buildings.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: Boliden Kokkola uses a lot of energy in its processes. Because the main fuel in Kokkola's roasting process is zinc concentrate, which contains almost no carbon, the energy generated is classified as carbon-free. Sulphur dioxide is produced during the zinc roasting process and is sent to the sulphuric acid plant for conversion into sulphuric acid. Pipelines in the industrial park deliver acid and other products to nearby industrial partners in closed systems, reducing transportation-related emissions and costs.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? This practice is mainly relevant for industry contexts.