Rheinbraun Brennstoff GmbH

Rheinbraun Brennstoff GmbH (RBB), headquartered in Frechen, Germany, operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of RWE Power AG, combining midsize operational agility with the resources of a major energy group. The company specializes in producing HOK® Activated Lignite — a sorbent manufactured from domestic Rhenish lignite through a proprietary hearth furnace activation process at temperatures exceeding 900°C, yielding a BET surface area of approximately 300 m²/g that positions it as a cost-effective alternative to conventional activated carbon. The HOK® product line includes four grades: HOK® Grained (1.25–5 mm) for fixed-bed filtration and stirred-tank reactors, HOK® Medium (<1.5 mm) for fixed-bed filters and biological wastewater treatment, HOK® Pulverized (<0.4 mm) for suspension adsorption techniques, and HOK® Super (<0.1 mm) for maximum adsorption capacity in specialized applications. In water treatment, HOK® serves dual functions — biological treatment where particles provide microorganisms concentrated nutrient access producing compact settling sludge, and adsorptive treatment removing recalcitrant organics via suspension or fixed-bed filtration. Applications span drinking water filtration, landfill leachate, and industrial wastewater. In flue gas purification, HOK® removes heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead), acid gases (SO₂, HCl, HF), dioxins, and organic pollutants from incineration and industrial exhaust. The company also produces LSC Lignite Special Coke for metallurgical applications. Production operates under DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 with approximately 200,000 tonnes annual capacity.