Sector Outline Finland: Carbon capture

Carbon capture has been recognised as an important element in achieving the national climate goals, with the focus increasingly shifting from carbon capture and storage (CCS) to carbon capture and utilisation (CCU). Finland has a significant national advantage in that a substantial portion of CO2 emissions originate from bio-based sources.

Policy targets promote the rise of carbon-capture related business cases. Maintaining and increasing carbon sinks has proven difficult in light of the economic significance of the vast forest resources for industrial usage. Carbon capture technologies and biochar have filled this vacuum as the key route to reaching net-zero targets.

Due to its substantial share of forestry, pulp and paper industry, biorefineries, and bioenergy production, Finland generates significant amounts of biogenic CO2 from a relatively small number of large point sources. The country’s comprehensive port and rail network guarantees economical transport from sources of carbon to utilisation sites.

The greenhouse gas calculation rules enable emitters of biogenic CO2 to decrease their emissions while commercialising their carbon for additional revenues. As the production of synthetic methane, methanol, and SAF increases, the anticipated future demand for biogenic carbon is substantial.