Nicole Willimann - AVA-CO2

AVA-CO2 introduces the first industrial-size hydrothermal
carbonisation (HTC) plant in the world.
AVA-CO2, pioneer of hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), is today putting the first industrial-size
HTC plant in the world into operation in Karlsruhe, Germany. The HTC tech-
nology uses biomass for generating renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gases and enabling a
neutral balance of CO2.
Zug, Switzerland/Karlsruhe, Germany - 26th October, 2010 - by putting the world’s largest
hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) plant into operation today, AVA-CO2 succeeds as the first
company to take the step from research towards industrial use of HTC technology. With an
overall capacity of 14,400 litres and an annual capacity to process 8,400 tonnes of biomass,
the reactor presented today demonstrates in an impressive way that the experts from AVA-
CO2 have succeeded in constructing and operating a plant of industrial-size. About 100 invited
guests from research, industry and politics are expected to attend the inauguration of
the plant at the site of AVA-CO2's subsidiary at Karlsruhe.
“On an industrial scale, hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) opens completely new perspec-
tives on the reduction of greenhouse gases and the production of renewable energy by processing
biomass into CO2-neutral biocoal," explains the Chairman of the Board, Peter Achermann.
"Wherever larger quantities of biomass accumulate continuously, the HTC process can be
used profitably by a large number of industries and applications," adds Jan Vyskocil, Co-
CEO of AVA-CO2.
AVA-CO2 with headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, is a pioneer of HTC technology and
brought the procedure to industrial maturity. The HTC plant presented today by AVA-CO2
consists of three main components: the biomass is mixed and heated up to around 150°C in
the five-metre high mixing tank (to the right in the picture). In the centre there is the actual
reactor, in which the chemical reaction takes place at about 220°C and at a pressure of 22
bar. With its overall capacity of 14 cubic metres, this tank is silvery on account of an additional
isolation layer. The largest tank (to the left in the picture) serves as a so-called outlet
buffer tank for intermediate storage of the extracted energy and of the end product. This
process developed by AVA-CO2, allows seamless integration in the continuous production
processes of customers.
AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG Baarerstrasse 20 CH-6304 Zug Tel: +41 41 727 09 70 Web: www.ava-co2.com

Various pictures at printable resolution are available in the
download section under www.ava-co2.com.
Hydrothermal Carbonisation (HTC)
The first industrial size plant in
the world for hydrothermal carbonisation
of biomass at the site
of AVA-CO2's subsidiary at
Karlsruhe: mixing tank, reactor
and outlet buffer tank (from right
to left). The reactor has an overall
capacity of 14,400 litres and
an annual processing capacity of
8,400 tonnes of biomass. The
reactor works at temperatures of
around 220°C and at a pressure
of 22 bar. At customer sites a
industrial HTC plant will typically
consist of 8-12 reactors and thus
achieve an annual capacity of
65,000 to 100,000 tonnes of
biomass.
Under heat and pressure, the HTC process removes water molecules from the biomass and
converts the residual carbon to high-value biocoal within a few hours. For that purpose, the
biomass is heated up as an aqueous solution in a pressurised vessel. Subsequently, an exothermic
process takes place, so that no further additional energy is required for the operation
of the plant. Hydrothermal carbonisation is characterised among other things by the possibility
of also processing biomass with high water content.
The HTC process is most robust and uses all the existing carbon in the biomass. High-value,
CO2-neutral, AVA blue coal is produced as the end product. Thanks to its stability and high
energy density, this biocoal can be stored without any problem and transported efficiently. As
an alternative, AVA biochar can also be produced with the HTC process. This product is
similar to humus and is used in agriculture for soil ameliorisation and to capture CO2. The
process of hydrothermal carbonisation was researched by Friedrich Bergius in 1913. In 1931,
he was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG Baarerstrasse 20 CH-6304 Zug Tel: +41 41 727 09 70 Web: www.ava-co2.com

About AVA CO2
AVA-CO2 offers world-wide solutions to convert biomass into a sustainable source of energy.
As a pioneer in hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), AVA-CO2 plans, implements and operates
HTC plants on behalf of its customers. These facilities turn plant residues efficiently and
profitably into high grade biocoal or biochar. The process binds greenhouse gases ensuring
CO2 neutrality. The Company is registered in Zug, Switzerland with a subsidiary in
Karlsruhe, Germany. In October 2010, it launched the world’s first industrial-size HTC plant.
www.ava-co2.com
Contact
Thomas M. Kläusli
CMO and Public Relations
AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG
Baarerstrasse 20
CH-6304 Zug
Phone: +41 41 727 09 70
Mobil: +41 78 936 74 81
E-Mail: media@ava-co2.com
www.ava-co2.com
AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG Baarerstrasse 20 CH-6304 Zug Tel: +41 41 727 09 70 Web: www.ava-co2.com