EnviTec Biogas Leverages Two Decades of Experience to Transform Chicken Manure into RNG

Introduction

EnviTec Biogas AG, the largest biogas producer in Germany, has spent the last 23 years innovating the use of chicken manure to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) and bio-Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). As the U.S. market for waste-to-energy solutions expands, EnviTec is keen to deploy its extensive expertise in anaerobic digestion of poultry waste to meet increased demand for sustainable energy.

Market Potential

CEO Olaf von Lehmden, deeply versed in the poultry farming sector through ventures like EiPro, recognizes the pressing environmental and economic challenges of large-scale poultry operations. This knowledge drove the establishment of EnviTec Biogas, aimed at turning poultry waste management into a viable business opportunity. The U.S. has generated approximately 30 million tons of chicken manure annually, presenting a remarkable opportunity to convert this waste into energy. In fact, this amount holds the potential to produce around 400 million British thermal units (mmBtu) of energy each day, enough to meet the heating needs of roughly 3.7 million households.

Overcoming Challenges

Timothy Logan, President of EnviTec Biogas Construction, points out that the U.S. market for utilizing chicken manure in biogas production remains largely undeveloped. Traditional practices have focused on using chicken manure as fertilizer, limiting further exploration of its treatment via anaerobic digestion (AD). Conversely, dairy manure AD plants have thrived due to their higher commodity value and easier digestibility, thus contributing to the slower development of chicken manure facilities.

Despite these hurdles, EnviTec's vast experience enables it to navigate the intricacies of the chicken manure market, leveraging its operational insights to accelerate project planning. The company is currently evaluating multiple prospective projects to harness this untapped resource effectively.

Innovative Solutions

EnviTec's Güstrow biogas plant, which they acquired and retrofitted in 2021 to process chicken litter as its primary feedstock, serves as a prime example of sustainable business practices in action. By processing over 110,000 tons of chicken manure annually, this integrated facility upgrades biogas through advanced membrane technology to create RNG and compress it into LNG. Additionally, the CO2-rich off-gas is converted into liquefied CO2 (LCO2), adding another revenue stream for the facility.

The company plans further advancements by incorporating ammonia scrubbing systems to optimize nutrient extractability from the digestate while minimizing water usage during the anaerobic digestion process. This approach not only creates an extra revenue stream through the production of ammonium sulfate but also enhances the overall economics of chicken manure processing.

Conclusion

With over 690 professionals contributing to its success and a portfolio boasting 87 operational plants, EnviTec Biogas AG stands ready to make a significant impact on the renewable energy landscape in the U.S. By transforming chicken manure into renewable energy, EnviTec is set to lead the charge in innovative waste management and sustainable energy solutions. With market projections pointing towards a potential of $4.5 billion annually from these endeavors, the future appears promising for both EnviTec and the U.S. renewable energy market. The company is committed to thoroughly vetting project viability, ensuring sustainable pathways forward for utilizing chicken manure effectively, thereby contributing to a cleaner, greener future.