Rolls-Royce has taken a bold step toward promoting the circular economy by supporting sustainable practices in product development. The company has implemented a system to repurpose rice straw, traditionally burned as agricultural waste, into medium-density fibreboard (MDF).
Straw is an agricultural byproduct consisting of the dry stalks of cereal plants after the grain and chaff have been removed. It makes up about half of the yield by weight of cereal crops such as barley, oats, rice, rye, and wheat. Straw has several different uses, including fuel, livestock bedding, fodder, thatching, and basket making.
In the Beheira province of northern Egypt, Rolls-Royce commissioned ten mtu gas gensets to power the Egyptian Wood Technology Company (WOTECH) plant. This facility, which relies entirely on mtu island energy solutions, is the second of its kind globally and the first in Africa. It transforms rice straw into MDF, used for furniture, cabinets, doors, and construction.
As Rice straw undergoes transformation into by-products, it indicates that the WOTECH factory is significantly reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions by avoiding the burning of rice straws.
There has been an increased call for renewable energy adoption and phasing out of fossil fuels to assist in averting the increase in global temperatures. Considering the factory is not connected to the public electricity grid, it depends solely on ten 20-cylinder mtu gas gensets, delivering a total output of 25 megawatts.
Efficient Power Solutions as each genset has a rated power of 2,500 kW and an operational lifespan of up to 84,000 hours before requiring a major overhaul.
Rolls-Royce partnered with local companies Engineering for Industries Co. (INDE) and Egyptian Maintenance Company (EMC) to deliver a reliable and efficient power solution. The project, backed by Egypt’s petroleum ministry, showcases the successful integration of mtu Series 4000 L64 FNER gensets, controls, and accessories.
Tobias Ostermaier, President of Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce, emphasized the importance of dependability in such projects as he revealed intentions to continue such collaborations in the future.
“When supporting a project like the WOTECH facility, where there is no access to grid utilities, the dependability of our mtu gas-powered gensets is paramount. Working with INDE and EMC, we delivered a solution that met all customer requirements, combining efficiency, reliability, and low emissions,” said Tobias.
This innovative approach not only supports Egypt’s sustainability goals but also highlights the potential for circular economy practices to address environmental challenges while delivering functional products for diverse applications
