Mannheim/Geretsried, 26 May 2009 ? CropEnergies AG, Mannheim, and Tyczka Energie GmbH, Geretsried, are planning to build a plant for the liquefaction of food quality CO2 (carbon dioxide) in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
The plant will have an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and is scheduled to commence operation in 2010.
The construction and operation of the liquefaction plant will be undertaken by the newly formed joint venture CT Biocarbonic GmbH, Zeitz, in which each partner holds a 50 percent stake. The transaction was concluded subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.
The plant for the liquefaction, purification and recovery of carbon dioxide is located in the immediate proximity of the CropEnergies bioethanol facility in Zeitz (Burgenlandkreis county ? southern Saxony-Anhalt) and will benefit from the existing infrastructure. The raw material used will be biogenic CO2 from CropEnergies? bioethanol production process which forms during the fermentation of grain and sugar syrups into bioethanol. According to Lutz Guderjahn, member of the executive board of CropEnergies: ?The construction of the CO2 liquefaction plant will enable CropEnergies to increase the profitability of the Zeitz site thanks to the extension of the value chain whilst, at the same time, also improving the greenhouse gas balance of the bioethanol facility as a consequence of reprocessing the CO2.?
The produced carbon dioxide will be marketed exclusively by Tyczka Kohlensäure GmbH & Co KG, Geretsried. Frank Götzelmann, member of the management board of Tyczka Energie: ?By making this investment in Zeitz, the Tyczka Group is not only securing a sustainable and long-term source of carbon dioxide at an attractive location but, at the same time, is also laying the foundation for further expansion of its market position in central Europe.?
The particular chemical properties of the carbon dioxide produced in Zeitz open up a wide range of applications in a very wide range of industries. In addition to its use in drinks, carbon dioxide is also used, for example, as a refrigerant or freezing agent for foods and as a protective gas in the packaging industry. In Europe, the annual demand for liquid carbon dioxide is currently around 3 million tonnes and the industry is growing at a multi-year average rate of approximately 3 percent per annum.
Information about the companies
The CropEnergies AG
The CropEnergies Group - a member of the SĂĽdzucker Group - is a leading European producer of sustainably manufactured bioethanol for the fuel sector. Within just a few years, CropEnergies has succeeded in establishing itself as one of the leading bioethanol producers within a growing market and operates subsidiaries in Germany, Belgium and France. The shares of CropEnergies AG (ISIN DE000A0LAUP1) are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in official trade (Prime Standard).
Tyczka Energie GmbH is the leading company within the medium-sized Tyczka group of companies headquartered in Geretsried, Germany. The core areas of business are energy supply (propane and butane), industrial gases and carbon dioxide as well as services. Tyczka Kohlensäure GmbH & Co. KG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyczka Energie GmbH and joined the Group after acquisition in 2004.