Press releases and news

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  • | pressrelease
    Several climate benefits of producing hydrogen from biogas, new report finds
    Renewable hydrogen plays an important role in the green transition, but supply is still limited. In a research project, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has studied the possibilities of producing hydrogen from biogas at wastewater treatment plants for use in city buses in Luleå. The results show that there are several advantages, both in terms of cost and climate.
  • | pressrelease
    Smart business models are the key to large-scale recycling of waste heat
    Every year, huge amounts of energy are wasted by not harnessing unused heat flows. As much as a quarter of the EU's heating requirements could be recovered from data centres, industrial plants and other facilities. Now three major EU initiatives are being launched in which IVL's expertise in business models plays a key role.
  • | news
    New law to stop greenwashing
    The European Parliament has adopted a new directive banning greenwashing and misleading product information. It will now be unlawful to claim that a product is "climate neutral" or "climate positive" as a result of carbon offsetting.
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    IVL takes part in Sweden's new innovation initiative
    IVL is participating in two of the programmes receiving funding through Sweden's major innovation initiative for the 2030s – Impact Innovation. The programmes will accelerate the transition to a sustainable society and strengthen Sweden's competitiveness.
  • | pressrelease
    Sustainable development is profitable in Arctic Council countries
    Investments in technology and measures to reduce emissions of air pollutants and the use of fossil fuels are socio-economically profitable, according to an analysis of the Arctic Council countries conducted by IVL researchers.
  • | news
    Transition of textile and construction sectors requires a combination of instruments
    In a study for the Nordic Council of Ministers, economists at IVL have analyzed how environmental taxes can promote the transition to a circular economy in the Nordic region. The focus was on two sectors with extensive material flows: textiles and construction.
  • | news
    Households to receive support to become more circular
    IVL is participating in the new EU project CARE, which will help 100 households in Europe to become more climate-smart and circular. The project focuses on two areas – food and fashion – where households will receive inspiration and help to make more sustainable choices in everyday life.
  • | pressrelease
    Cities can produce more food using circular systems
    Climate change, population growth and urbanization increase the need for alternative and sustainable solutions for producing food. At the same time, cities have become less and less self-sufficient, and produce large amounts of waste that could be used more resource-efficiently. IVL is now launching a major project focusing on how urban farms can become more circular by linking them to other flows in cities.
  • | news
    New report analyses how negative emissions can help meet Paris Agreement targets
    A new report commissioned by the Swedish Energy Agency analyses how removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, known as negative emissions, can help in achieving the long-term temperature targets of the Paris Agreement. Among other things, the report analyses the risks associated with negative emissions, such as delaying the phase-out of fossil fuels, and how these risks can be managed.
  • | news
    Several new tools strengthen efforts for a sustainable and safe chemical industry
    AI-based tools that can be used to predict whether substances are carcinogenic or endocrine disruptors. These are examples of tools developed by the IVL-led Mistra SafeChem research programme to reduce the risk of chemicals to humans and the environment.
  • | news
    The forest is Sweden's gold in the climate transition – but is it enough?
    Sweden's forests are expected to provide generously, and perhaps even more in the future: more timber, more biofuel, more renewable products to replace plastic. At the same time, the forest is to contribute as a carbon sink, accommodate a high level of biodiversity and be a place for recreation. How can this equation be reconciled, and is it even possible? Researchers at IVL are developing tools that can provide a better overall picture of the sustainability of Swedish forestry and the trade-offs that must be made.
  • | pressrelease
    World's first social product declaration launched
    IVL's subsidiary EPD International now publishes the world's first social product declaration (SPD), with the multinational company Hitachi Rail producing an SPD for one of its train models.
  • | pressrelease
    Textile recycling must increase – but climate benefits not clear, report shows
    In Europe, large amounts of clothing and textiles are discarded, and more need to be circulated and recycled. But to safeguard and maximize the climate benefits of large-scale textile recycling, several factors need to be in place, according to a study conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute as part of the Sustainable Clothing Futures project.
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    COP28: Historic agreement reached at Dubai climate summit
    The COP28 climate summit in Dubai concluded with a historic climate agreement that sees the world's countries agree to move away from fossil fuels.
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    Digital monitoring future-proofs cities' wastewater networks
    Climate change and urbanization are increasing the pressure on urban water and wastewater systems. In Stockholm and Gothenburg, a new digital technology has been tested that can help municipalities better monitor their networks and improve their ability to plan maintenance.
  • | news
    New solutions for the process industry – circularity and resource efficiency supported by digital twins
    Old tyres replacing fossil fuels, increased use of aluminium scrap, and phosphorus from wastewater and industrial ash being recycled into fertiliser. The four-year EU project Retrofeed, in which six heavy industries in the steel and cement sectors, among others, have improved their energy efficiency and switched to circular raw materials and renewable energy sources, has now come to an end. These results were achieved by improving equipment and developing measurement and control systems. Digital twins have been developed for decision support.
  • | pressrelease
    High microplastic emissions from paint
    Paint is a significant source of microplastics in Sweden, according to a new report produced by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute on behalf of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. This is the first Swedish study to look specifically at how paint contributes to microplastics, and which sectors account for the largest emissions.
  • | news
    The Nordic countries need to speed up their climate transition
    The Nordic countries have all set individual targets for achieving climate neutrality by some time between 2030 and 2050, but at the current rate of change, these targets may be difficult to meet. This is one of the key conclusions of a Nordic collaborative project that IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has participated in.
  • | news
    IVL's oil damage experts on site during clean-up operation
    The oil spill from the Marco Polo passenger ferry is a major blow to the already stressed Baltic Sea. IVL's oil damage experts are on site, contributing to the response in Blekinge.
  • | pressrelease
    Investment in hydrogen and increased circularity in Västerbotten's metal industry
    Tillväxtverket (the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth) and the Just Transition Fund have granted SEK 24 million to develop a long-term sustainable and competitive metal industry in Västerbotten, northern Sweden. The project, led by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, will examine the conditions for increased production and use of hydrogen gas, and how increased circularity can reduce the amount of waste and climate impact from the mining and metal industry in Västerbotten.
  • | pressrelease
    SEK 20 million for research on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in cold water
    Since autumn 2021, Sundsvall has been the epicentre for research to find the most effective way to remove nitrogen from wastewater that is cold for much of the year. Formas – a Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development – has just granted SEK 20 million for an additional five years of research. The project is headed by MittSverige Vatten och Avfall and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, and is part of the national research programme on oceans and water.
  • | pressrelease
    John Rune Nielsen becomes new CEO of IVL
    John Rune Nielsen has been appointed new CEO of IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Most recently he comes from the Norwegian climate and environmental research institute NILU, where he has been CEO since 2021. Prior to that, he has worked for many years in senior positions at the research institute RISE and previously SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden.
  • | pressrelease
    International expert group proposes global target for air quality
    A global environmental target on air pollution and a powerful mobilization of resources to improve air quality in low-income countries. This is what researchers and decision-makers propose in a report from the international workshop Saltsjöbaden VII, organized by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
  • | pressrelease
    Research project to identify sustainable measures that can prevent damage from extreme weather events
    Extreme weather with heavy rainfall is becoming increasingly common and is threatening cities and communities. In a new research project in Sweden and Norway, the most economically and environmentally sustainable measures to climate-proof residences will now be identified. The project is led by CICERO, Center for International Climate Research, in collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and If Insurance.
  • | news
    The Arctic in the heat of the moment
    It's early June and the air is clear in Helsinki, but the scientists gathered here through a project following up work under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme see clouds piling up in the horizon. Not only are forest fires in Canada engulfing North America in smoke, but Arctic temperatures are rising steadily, not least geo-politically.
  • | news
    IVL assist SKF to analyze the environmental impact of bearing business in China
    IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and the company SKF have established a strategic partnership to collaborate on low-carbon environmental initiatives and innovative practices within the company’s bearing business in China.
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    Strategic cooperation agreement signed with EPD focus
    In June, China Power Complete Equipment Company, together with its subsidiary Power (Beijing) Certification Centre (PCCC), visited IVL's Stockholm office to share expertise and to sign a strategic cooperation agreement with IVL. The agreement means that IVL in China will work on developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for a large number of renewable energy products.
  • | pressrelease
    Report highlights actions to advance green technologies in Nordic region
    Economic instruments to advance green technology in the Nordic countries are far from cost-effective, according to research conducted by IVL Sweden Environmental Research Institute on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
  • | pressrelease
    Study reveals sustainability benefits of Swedish wool
    IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has analysed the sustainability of Swedish wool. The results indicate that Swedish wool production can have lower climate impact and several other positive effects compared to wool production in other countries. The study has been carried out within The Swedish Wool Initiative led by Axfoundation.
  • | pressrelease
    New ranking: Best in Sweden at climate change adaptation
    Norrköping is this year's best climate change adaptation municipality, according to the latest survey from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and Insurance Sweden. The results also show that the rate of increase previously seen in climate change adaptation seems to have stopped.
  • | news
    We will see more treatment of PFAS-contaminated water in the future
    Foam fractionation, nanofiltration, ozonation, ion exchange, pulverized or granulated activated carbon. There are several different techniques for separating PFASs, and they are under constant development. The PFAS experts at IVL are driving the technology forward with the help of test pilots.
  • | pressrelease
    Tests reveal widespread emissions cheating
    Despite stricter regulations, many cars and trucks still emit too much nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This is according to the IVL-led EU project CARES, which has carried out extensive vehicle exhaust emissions in European cities. The tests also show that many trucks have manipulated emission control systems – a phenomenon that increases at night.
  • | news
    The knowledge gap between research and application must be reduced
    Because PFASs are so easily dispersed in the environment, regional and international cooperation is needed. And knowledge must be spread. Mayumi Narongin Fujikawa coordinates much of IVL's PFAS work, and leads several national and international PFAS projects.
  • | news
    PFAS analysis: Without interpretation you can be completely lost
    PFAS is becoming a widely recognized concept, and more and more businesses are working to reduce the spread of PFAS in various ways. But to be sure that a product or an environmental sample is PFAS-free, analysis is required – and this is not entirely straightforward.This is according to Ioannis Liagkouridis, researcher and project manager at IVL's laboratory in Stockholm.
  • | news
    Supporting sustainable food production in China
    In collaboration with China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) and Institute of Agriculture Economics and Development, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is engaged in the project SAFE to support sustainable agriculture food production in China. The aim is to reduce food loss and packaging, as well as the use of pesticide and fertilizers.
  • | news
    Green transition places new demands on the workplace
    A sustainable working environment is an important puzzle piece in the green transition. As Sweden makes this transition, both workplaces and duties are changing, and this results in new challenges in the work environment. On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Anneli Julander, one of IVL's work environment researchers, shared some thoughts on the future.
  • | news
    Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Rugao Biogas Pilot Project
    In the end of March, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for a biogas pilot project now starting up in the city Rugao in China. In the project organic wastes such as sludge and food waste from Rugao City, will be collected and turned in to biogas and provide green energy for the Scania factory in the city.
  • | news
    Wood-burning the right way – to reduce health risks
    For many, a wood fire is the epitome of home comfort. But the air pollutants, such as particles and soot, emitted as a result of wood-burning affect both human health and the environment. As more people resort to wood-burning due to rising electricity prices, we need more knowledge and information about how to avoid unnecessary air pollution.
  • | news
    Recycling and energy recovery in Namibia
    Windhoek, Namibia, is one of the cleanest cities in Africa, second to Kigali, and is set to regain its number-one status. Since 2009, the citizens have started sorting out plastic bottles, cartons, paper and glass, which go for recycling. Now, the city of Windhoek, together with waste experts at IVL and Smart City Sweden, is investigating how waste that is not recycled can be used for energy.
  • | pressrelease
    Smart water monitoring, thanks to new invention
    Climate change and urbanization are making it more challenging for cities to manage wastewater, stormwater and flooding. Researchers at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute have developed an invention that uses sensors and AI to monitor water and to better prepared to rapidly manage various changes.