C-Green has developed a technique to sustainably and circularly process (dredged) silt. This method can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases with up to 80% compared to the way in which silt is regularly processed.

In collaboration with Reym, an enterprise specialised in industrial cleaning and waste management, C-Green is conducting research to determine whether it is viable to build an OXYPOWER HTC-installation at the site of Reym. This installation converts silt into HTC bio coal, a product enriched with carbon that can serve as a biofuel or as a soil improver.

The solution to waste

Erik Odén, co-founder of C-Green: “We’re researching which of Reym’s waste streams are suitable, what the HTC bio coal can best be used for and what the advantages in terms of energy-use are.” Once the installation is operating, Reym will be able to offer its customers an attractive solution to their waste management issues. It appears likely that other enterprises will follow soon.

Currently, there is not enough capacity in the Netherlands to process wet waste (such as silt) safely and sustainably. Several large industries, like the agricultural- and food industry, are presented with this problem. “Our installation recycles the waste on the spot – it does not have to leave the factory” so explains Erik. “The slit is processed and converted into an odourless bio coal, which can serve as replacement for fossil fuels and wood-based fuels. Ultimately, this means we can reduce emissions and the number of trees that have to be chopped down.”

Rotterdam as an example to Asia and the USA

According to Erik, Rotterdam is an excellent location to roll out this business case: “Industrial cities such as Rotterdam produce a high amount of waste. This waste can represent value, especially if it is managed in a sustainable manner.” Moreover, the Netherlands is a densely populated country with little room to drain away silt. The OXYPOWER HTC solves this problem. And if it will prove successful in the Netherlands, it will be a small step towards other countries in Europe and even towards Asia and the USA.

Employment opportunities

As soon as we’re settled in the Netherlands, jobs will become available. This will include commercial vacancies, construction and maintenance, and operational support. In time, Reym will also need additional employees, for example to do maintenance work on the installation.