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Wärtsilä and CSNOx emissions abatement technology firm Ecospec Global Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together towards the common goal of improving the environment by providing clean power solutions.

Under the MOU, Wärtsilä will be responsible for integrating the CSNOx system into various engine applications. This includes the engineering, installation, supervision, project management, and commissioning of the system for both newbuildings and retrofits. Ecospec, as the supplier of the CSNOx system, would be responsible for supplying the key components of the system.

Ecospec CSNOx claims to be the world's first emissions abatement system capable of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from greenhouse gases, while at the same time removing, in a single system and in one process, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and other pollutants, without the use of harmful chemicals.

"CSNOx serves as the only practical technology with the ability to remove CO2, the main culprit for global warming, from exhaust gases in significant quantities. Its wash water quality surpasses IMO standards, and the discharge water is, therefore, either neutral or beneficial to the environment, and does not result in secondary pollution or problems related to disposal or storage," Wärtsilä said in a statement.

"By combining the joint expertise of Wärtsilä and Ecospec, the carbon footprint of both marine and onshore heavy industries can be significantly reduced through the development of clean power solutions. The aim is to achieve the lowest possible CO2 emissions, near zero SOx emissions - even when using heavy residual fuel, and to attain the capability to meet future NOx emission requirements," Wärtsilä added.

Commenting on Wärtsilä's environmental strategy, Juha Kytölä, Vice President, Product Centre Ecotech of Wärtsilä, said: "It is Wärtsilä's long-established strategy to assist its customers, not only in meeting current environmental legislation requirements, but to be pro-active in providing solutions that go well beyond these minimum standards. Emissions control is an area that is developing very rapidly, and this co-operation with Ecospec will help us to continue our leading role in this field. Without any question it will support our position as a total solutions provider to our customers."

Tany Tay, General Manager of Ecospec, commented: "Ecospec has always been on the lookout for suitable organisations with whom we could develop strategic alliances for the various technologies we have developed. This is a fine example of optimizing the synergistic effects from two companies with the same goal of providing the world with a clean power solution."