Wartsila opens sustainable tech hub to accelerate decarbonization efforts

The global leader in innovative technologies, Wartsila Corporation (Wartsila) opened a new technology center, the Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) in Vaasa, Finland, on Wednesday.

The new technology center is aimed at advancing global efforts toward decarbonization of the marine and energy industry by enabling innovation, collaboration, and development of green technologies using sustainable fuels and digital technologies.

"The speed at which the marine and energy industries are moving to meet decarbonisation goals is accelerating. The Sustainable Technology Hub, (STH), a world-leading centre for research, innovation, engineering, and manufacturing, marks the start of a new era for Wärtsilä," said Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation.

"By taking advantage of innovative technologies that already exist today, we can speed up the development of future-proof engines capable of running on sustainable fuels. We can now demonstrate that a carbon-neutral future is achievable," Agnevall added.

The center houses a modern fuel laboratory, flexible technology, engine testing facilities, and a state-of-the-art production system with a high level of automation. The center also has advanced energy recovery systems that enable self-sufficiency for heat energy.

"The center acts also as a global ecosystem of collaboration by inviting customers, partner companies, and academia to incubate, test, and validate ideas," Wartsila stated in an official release.

"One major collaboration showcase is the Wasaline ferry 'Aurora Botnia'. Wärtsilä and Wasaline have closely cooperated to establish this vessel as one of the world's most energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable passenger ferries."

The company already boasts of having engines operating on carbon-neutral fuels and is looking to release Wartsila 32 Methanol engine into the market this year. Wartsila also expects to ready the ammonia concept by 2023, and a hydrogen concept is by 2025.

With the expansion of sustainable fuels, Wartsila is expecting STH to be a foundation for achieving the company's 2030 target for carbon neutrality in its operations.