Swedish energy provider Söderenergi AB has entered into a pioneering partnership with AstraZeneca, committing to supply the pharmaceutical company with the first carbon removals generated from its upcoming bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) facility.
Under the agreement, Söderenergi will allocate the earliest volumes of captured biogenic CO2 from its Igelstaverket combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Södertälje to AstraZeneca, which operates one of its largest global production hubs in the same city.
The project is designed to capture and permanently store as much as 500,000 metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030.
Söderenergi is now in the process of refining the technical design for the capture system, with a final investment decision targeted for 2026, contingent on the establishment of a complete carbon value chain – from capture through geological storage to the issuance of certified carbon credits.
Building Sweden’s Carbon Removal Industry
Söderenergi CEO Robert Tingvall emphasized the symbolic importance of the deal, noting: “We are proud that the first negative emissions from our plant will be delivered to AstraZeneca. This agreement demonstrates confidence in our BECCS project and helps build the industry for permanent carbon removal.”
The role of negative emissions in achieving climate neutrality is becoming increasingly vital, particularly in addressing emissions that are difficult to fully eliminate.
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AstraZeneca’s sustainability manager at Södertälje, Marika Du Rietz, framed the partnership as a crucial addition to the company’s climate roadmap, which targets a 50% cut in greenhouse gases by 2030 and a 90% reduction across its supply chain by 2045.
Local leadership has also voiced strong support. Boel Godner, Chair of the Södertälje Municipal Executive Board, highlighted that the collaboration strengthens regional innovation: “Carbon dioxide removal is a forward-looking investment, and it is particularly positive that AstraZeneca is involved.”
Read more: Appeal Filed Against EU Approval Of Sweden’s BECCS State Aid
