ABOUT ÄFAB, SWEDEN ÄFAB is a freestanding consultancy company which since 1984, has been involved in the following business areas:
Product testing and development of small scale bio-energy heating systems. Education and training courses on the use of bio-energy heating systems and/or the use of bio-energy in general. Business matchmaking within the field of small-scale bio-energy heating systems.
By offering this broad product service, ÄFAB is therefore considered to be both a local and national development company aimed at helping and supporting both small and large bioenergy companies. In order to achieve this aim ÄFAB is often working in close cooperation with local, national and international authorities, universities/colleges and for the interests of the consumer. Today, ÄFAB has a close co-operation with the majority of the manufacturing companies upon the Swedish market, within wood log/chip/pellet and grain - combustion technology. Bengt- Erik Löfgren (CEO) was on Svebio`s (Swedish Bio-Energy Association) board for 13 years and 9 years within the Swedish Energy Agency's steering committee within the programme for ‘Small-scale Bio-energy’ as a representative for the use of small-scale bioenergy. Bengt- Erik is often hired as a consultant for different assignments, such as for the Swedish National Environment Protection Board, the National Board for Consumer Policies and the insurance companies. In 2002, Bengt- Erik was awarded the Energy Advisers 'Energy and Environment Award’. Future goal Sweden is one of the leaders within bio-energy technology in Europe and the centre of its development in Sweden is located within the region of Västra Götaland, where ÄFAB are based. Conversion of energy systems to more environmentally sustainable ones therefore means not only difficulties but also large possibilities both for ÄFAB and Swedish industry. The bio-energy sector is probably the largest growing industry currently in Europe, and Swedish pellet technology has had an almost explosive development in the last 20 years. ÄFAB now has the continued ambition to utilize its large knowledge base within bio-energy and strengthen its position by continuing to offer its test facilities, training and advice and business matchmaking within small-scale bio energy technology. The work ÄFAB has performed for the Swedish Energy Centre and Swedish Energy Agency provides a good example of where ÄFABs’ knowledge within bio-energy has been used and where, going forward, that knowledge can continue to be utilized within bio-energy. ÄFAB’s co-operation with manufacturing companies also gives a unique possibility to implement the research
results from the colleges directly to within industry and even help companies find new potential business partners. Within this region of Sweden there are important research institutes within the energy field at both the SP Research Institute and Chalmers. We also have manufacturing companies who can produce high quality, well engineered products and many users who are in need of more efficient energy and conversion techniques. At the same time this region of Sweden is also close to the big markets within Central Europe. One of ÄFAB's goals is to try to contribute to this increasing growth within bio-energy by offering the combination of both a creative environment and its technical knowledge, where people within the bio-energy industry are able to meet and create the products of the future. ÄFAB believe that when scientists, manufacturers and end users all meet together there are then the right conditions for new and better products. Since the spring of 2003, ÄFAB has broadened the companies’ activities by introducing additional to the testing lab here, a permanently staffed product exhibition hall displaying the best of the modern bio energy technology. You are most welcome to contact us if you have a product you would like to have displayed here, or even if you just wish to visit the exhibition, again you are most welcome. History The company ÄFAB was founded in 1984 as a technological development company for the Mora Pellet Factory in mid Sweden by 4 local companies each with an interest in the bio-fuel industry. Together with the Municipality of Älvdalen, ÄFAB started its operations within the Counties of Älvdalen and Dalarna. The companies’ initial role was to function as an independent technological development company to Mora Pellet Factory and help with tests and development of combustion technology for new fuel pellet fuels. For this purpose a central heating plant and development laboratory was then built in Älvdalen. With dramatically falling oil prices and an extension of nuclear power in the late 1980's, electrical heat increased its market share. Bio energy for heating then more or less disappeared and with that also the basis for ÄFAB' s development work with the new technology. In1990, ÄFAB was restructured and Bengt-Erik Löfgren bought 80% of the shares, whilst at the same time a co-operation with BPA-Energi AB and Länsförsäkringsbolagen, was initiated. With a lack of development assignments, the work became more focused on education issues and the company became more and more involved with actions to prevent fire damages, working alongside the insurance services sector. After the UN-conferences in Rio (1992), Kyoto (1997) and Johannesburg (2002), both the environment and climate issues then began to be put back in the focus. The greenhouse effect and discovered holes in the ozone layer again contributed to make bio-energy an interesting alternative for heating once more. The Swedish bio-energy market started to increase in size and this was mainly being seen in western Sweden. As a result in 1994 ÄFAB then decided to move all its activities to Lidköping in western Sweden. The relocation to Lidköping became final in a co-operation with VL-energi (today Odal lantmän) which already in the early 1990's was very active within the bio-energy industry sector. As part of the relocation to Lidköping ÄFAB's laboratory was also moved and rebuilt at the same time. Additional important new investments were also made, such as in new instruments, educational resources and premises. Since the move in 1994, the lab activity has required a little more than one full-time employed person and the assignment volume is increasing year
by year. Today, ÄFAB owns the industrial premises where the lab activity and the exhibition hall are located and is renting the office and conference premises from Svenska Shell AB in close connection. Despite its broad activity, ÄFAB is a small company. In the autumn of 2003 there were 4 full-time employees and the income was approximately 3.5 million SEK per year. Our business concept » ÄFAB's activity is focused around product development and benchmark testing of combustion technology and providing education for experts as well as for people in authority. ÄFAB does not have carry out the selling of products but is rather an independent development and education company, where the company functions as a link between scientists, industry and between local authorities and the end user. » ÄFAB's customers are mostly found within the manufacturing industry for boilers, stoves and pellet technology on the equipment side and the Swedish Association of Heating, Water Sanitation and Cooling System Contractors, certified chimney-sweepers, municipalities and other authorities within the education sector. » Today, ÄFAB is one of the leading technology development companies in Sweden within small-scale bio energy technology. ÄFAB is often hired as an expert within bio energy issues. » ÄFAB is independent and open to all manufacturers or agents who want to try or develop their products. » ÄFAB offers a wide market experience and peak competence, able to co-operate with individual companies working in the bio-energy sector, to transfer its knowledge and contribute towards successful efforts. Since the autumn of 2003, ÄFAB has also been responsible for employing the secretariat of PellSam (Swedish Association for Wood Pellets) » ÄFAB tries to continuously realize the needs of small companies as well as authorities and organizations. It then tries to work on assignments within emerging markets and areas from education to technology development. ÄFAB has been involved in part of the work to develop the Swedish P-marking regulations for wood pellets and wood log combustion technology. ÄFAB has developed the basis of the information material now used by the Swedish Land Insurance regarding the combustion of solid fuel and also providing information material for the Swedish Energy Agency within small-scale combustion technology. » ÄFAB annually takes part in information and campaign assignments, including speaking at international bio-energy conferences in both Sweden and other countries if required. ÄFAB is also the leader of the Västra Götaland Region's Pellet Project which is a cluster consisting of approximately 15 projects with the purpose of creating growth in the wood pellet industry of the region. » ÄFAB is annually involved in typically 3-4 research projects financed with funds from the Swedish Energy Agency, the National Environment Protection Board, LRF and others. » ÄFAB has regular assignments from the manufacturing industry to develop or improve the combustion technology of a product or group of products and is hired by the Swedish Energy Agency to present Swedish technology at international conferences and trade fairs.
Âť Ă„FAB has, at the expense of the Swedish Energy Agency, developed a computer programme with a calculation function and data base consisting of approximately 1100 boilers, pellet burners, pellet stoves etc. Today, the programme already exists in Swedish and English but will be translated to German and via Opet be spread to a number of other countries within the European Union.