Kemira’s ChemSolutions unit has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Canada-based Mantra Venture Group Ltd.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Mantra Energy Alternatives Inc. (ME). Kemira and ME will co-operate in developing Mantra´s ERC process, which using an electrochemical process converts carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the strongest of the organic acids, formic acid. Kemira has agreed to build a key component of the ERC system: the back end process which improves the formic acid output up to market ready specification on site. The partnership is mutually beneficial as it gives Kemira a new raw material source for various applications, while it concurrently assists ME in meeting the needs of its ERC industrial clients in resolving CO2 emission problems. Kemira and Mantra will also co-operate in developing additional environmentally sustainable products using formic acid as a base chemical component.

Kemira’s ChemSolutions unit is the leading producer of formic acid and organic acid salts.  ChemSolutions is developing new formic acid recovery and concentration technologies in Kemira´s  and VTT´s (Technical Research Centre of Finland) Center of Water Efficiency Excellency.  Frank Wegener, Head of ChemSolutions, says that “the cooperation with Mantra in the development of the formic acid recovery method for the ERC process is an important strategic move in securing a sustainable raw material source for formic acid”.
More Information

Kemira Oyj
Frank Wegener, Head of ChemSolutions
Tel. +491 71588 8107
Pekka Johnsson, Senior Manager, Business Development and Strategy
Tel. +358 50 553 5707