Welcome to ÄFAB – your partner in bioenergy issues

Mail address:
ÄFAB
Naverkälle, Österäng
SE 533 97 GÖTENE
SWEDEN

Äfab was established in 1984 in Älvdalen, initially as a technology development company for Mora Pelletsfabrik. Bengt-Erik Löfgren, who was born and raised in Mora, belongs to the generation of bioenergy geeks who had the privilege of closely following the development of bioenergy from the start of the very first commercial pellet factory to where we stand today. Since the beginning, he has been responsible for the ÄFAB test lab where we developed both combustion technology and new fuels. During the period 2015 to 2019, Bengt-Erik was also responsible for the Pellets Association’s office, during the period 2015 to 2019. He has his roots in the sootcleaning industry, but has spent almost his entire professional life as an independent energy consultant in the borderland between consumer, manufacturer, authority and universities.

As a company, ÄFAB does not sell any equipment, but only works as an independent consultant taking on various assignments. Bengt-Erik has been a unifying actor since the beginning, and over the years has gained the trust of both companies and the public. In recent years, mainly with education and information, as he, with the right age, scaled back the business a bit and is now a part-time pensioner. Our long experience in representing the interests of the industry is recognized even far beyond the country’s borders. In 2009, for example, Äfab was listed on US ambassador Michael M. Wood’s list of the 30’s most important Swedish environmental technology companies that could help in the US’s transition. It then became the state for a long series of international missions in the USA, Canada and Great Britain.

The fact that Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the unrest in the world’s markets, has led to rising energy prices and inflation seems to have not escaped anyone. But even dark moments usually contain at least a few glimmers of light. Skyrocketing electricity prices and talk of power shortages have led to the entire electrification increasingly being called into question. At the same time, Europe’s heating customers have declared that they no longer trust gas and oil supplies from countries with authoritarian leaders and a lack of democracy. This has led to a renewed demand for domestically produced bioenergy as a safer and more secure energy carrier. Although many of the industry’s threat images remain, today’s turbulent situation can still be seen as a game changer for an increased understanding of all the benefits of bioenergy, both for the individual’s economy, our climate and for our society.

Only by cooperating and gathering strength around national and international cluster activities can we get the most possible results based on the resources invested. ÄFAB’s name and enthusiasm, together with many of our smaller companies, are important pawns in the transition work. We are convinced that our industry, both within the country and on export markets, is increasingly important to see the possibilities in combining bioenergy with other energy carriers such as heat pumps and solar energy.

”- Together we want to create a creative environment where different interests can meet and new projects and products can be born” says Bengt-Erik Löfgren, who is responsible for the company. ”We are open to everyone, the general public as well as researchers and professionals.

We must learn to look at the big picture and respond to the disinformation that is presented. The use of biomass for energy purposes is constantly questioned by environmental organizations who believe that burning bioenergy is even worse for the climate than burning with coal and oil(!). From society’s side, it is very important that we address these discussions before it is too late. The threat images are serious. For example, the EU Parliament is currently discussing limiting the use of biofuels in our district heating boilers.

For me, it has become increasingly clear that both today’s politicians and our newly trained energy technicians are often stuck in the electrification track and lack both the knowledge and experience needed to build functioning system solutions for bioheat. My generation, which helped build up our bioenergy use, is today starting to fall away as pensioners. Within just a few years, a lot of experience and valuable knowledge is therefore at risk of disappearing.

When Sweden already in 1990 chose to, via a carbon dioxide tax as a policy instrument, reduce our oil dependence, this became a starting point for becoming a leading nation in the world in terms of the use of renewable energy. By increasing costs for fossil energy, better competitive advantages were created for all forms of renewable energy production, not least our bioenergy. In just a few decades, the production of biomass became the dominant energy carrier in our country. An important resource for climate, livelihoods, local community development and ecosystem services. More than 38% of all the energy we use in Sweden originates from biomass. And if we also include hydropower, wind and solar energy, more than 55% of all our energy is renewable. Over 25% of what we fill in our cars is biodiesel, biogas or ethanol.

Unlike other alternative forms of energy, bioenergy often results in lower costs, and biomass also creates sustainable jobs throughout the life of a facility and not just during the construction phase. Money and jobs that mostly stay in the local economy. Bioenergy-based district and local heating also provides a valuable basis for biopower, i.e. electrical energy produced in CHP with bioenergy as the energy carrier. Unlike other forms of renewable energy, biopower delivers the most electrical energy when it is coldest and the electricity is most needed. Almost 75% of the bioenergy used in the world goes to heating homes and premises.

You can find some of my international lectures on my YouTube channel

Do you also want to take advantage of our experience and our services?

“If we do not know exactly how, we probably know who!” We will gladly help you all with educational issues, project applications and even project management. Our lectures are often highly appreciated as ”kick off” at various campaigns or as information evenings organized by municipalities and associations.

Let’s describe how we did this in Sweden and share our experience with your opportunities “If Sweden can- you all can”

For further information, please contact:

Bengt-Erik Löfgren, by e-mail: bengt@afabinfo.com
+46 70551 1648