Pioneering sustainability:

AustroCel has been operating Austria's largest residue-based bio-refinery in Hallein for three years. Valuable bio-ethanol is produced from the by-products of cellulose production, the capacity of which is sufficient to cover around 1% of Austria's gasoline requirements. The CO₂ savings of the biofuel are almost 98% compared to petroleum-based fuels.

Hallein, 30.01.2024. AustroCel produces valuable bioethanol from the side streams of cellulose production, which is transported sustainably by rail to OMV in Vienna. “The CO₂ reduction rate of our bio-ethanol is almost 98%, which is an exceptionally high value even for biofuels,” says Managing Director Wolfram Kalt,” it corresponds to our overarching goal of achieving complete recycling of recyclable materials through the circular economy and thus supporting the climate targets of the state of Salzburg. The bioethanol plant also secures jobs in the region and contributes to the economic success of our company.”

Bio-ethanol from Hallein is produced exclusively on the basis of cellulose residues and is considered to be particularly environmentally friendly, as no feed or food is used. With this sustainable basis, AustroCel Hallein's bio-ethanol belongs to the category of “advanced 2^nd generation biofuels” and is blended with gasoline fuels.

“The processed wood consists of 40 % cellulose. Extracting the cellulose by boiling the wood chips produces brown liquor, which used to be evaporated and burned,” explains Franz Dieterich, head of the bio-ethanol plant,” but as brown liquor contains valuable wood sugars, it is fermented using yeast and distilled into bio-ethanol.” In this way, as many components of the wood as possible are put to material use.