Circular solutions in focus as climate ministers visit Ragn-Sells

Circular solutions were the focus when climate ministers from Sweden and Estonia visited Ragn-Sells. 

Sweden's Minister for Climate and Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, and her colleague, Estonia’s Minister for Climate, Yoko Alender, visited Ragn-Sells at Högbytorp to learn more about how Ragn-Sells is driving the transition to a circular economy through solutions that reduce environmental and climate impact. 

The visit on 14 March 2025 highlighted innovations that contribute to increasing the circular transition. Among other things, the ministers gained insight into Ragn-Sells' circular solutions for recycling flat glass, metals from bottom ash sorting, oil regeneration, and information about the demonstration plant that Ragn-Sells is building in Narva, Estonia, for the conversion of oil shale ash and carbon dioxide to calcium carbonate. 

Susanna Lind, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Ragn-Sells Sweden, together with other company representatives, explained how Ragn-Sells is driving the transition towards a more sustainable future. The ministers also got a tour of the facility, where Ragn-Sells shared various circular solutions that convert waste into clean raw materials so that they can be used over and over again, such as: 

• Bottom ash and slag that contain metals and can be sorted out and recycled. 

• Ash2Salt, a facility that can recycle approximately half of all fly ash generated from waste incineration in Sweden. Through a unique technology, the ash is washed and treated and extracted into valuable salts that can be used to combat road slippage or in mineral fertilizers, among other things. 

• Solvent Recovery Solutions, a solvent treatment facility, with a capacity to treat 20,000 tonnes of solvents per year. By recycling and reusing solvents, a potential carbon savings of up to 92 percent can be achieved.  

“If we are serious about creating a sustainable society, we must use the resources we already have – over and over again. This is why we are very happy with the visit and the positive feedback we received from the delegation,” says Lind. 

Ragn-Sell's innovative solutions, such as the Ash2Salt facility and the new solvent recycling plant, are important contributions to sustainable resource recovery and reduced climate impact.  

“This visit confirms that we are on the right track in our work for a circular transition. However, this requires a completely new view of waste, where waste is seen as a source of sustainable raw materials. The industry needs long-term political conditions and a high rate of reform so that we can invest in new circular business models,” concludes Lind.