Gasum invests in further refining of recycled nutrients

Gasum has improved the capacity of its biogas plant network to respond to stricter environmental requirements as well as the pan-European trend regarding the use of recycled nutrients of treated sewage sludge origin as fertilizers. Gasum is investing in the further refining of nutrients and expanding the uses of recycled nutrients. Gasum will also continue to process sludges into biogas and recycled nutrients. The feedstock base used in biogas production is diverse, ranging from industrial and municipal sewage sludge to other biodegradable waste such as biowaste from homes and industry as well as agricultural side streams such as cattle manure.

There is growing demand for biogas produced from waste and side streams for a variety of uses. Biogas can be transmitted to users via the current gas pipeline system or other gas logistics solutions. Biogas production helps advance circular economy objectives as energy as well as nutrients.

Waste and sludge only account for part of Finland’s biogas production potential, with feedstocks such as agricultural biomass side streams playing a key role in the expansion of biogas production.

”The biogas market has developed positively, and the number of new biogas customers is increasing in the various customer segments. At the same time a rapid change has taken place in the fertilizer market, restricting the use of sewage sludge-based fertilizers in fields. Gasum aims to offer customers and partners such circular economy solutions that also ensure the comprehensive utilization of nutrients. For example, in Sweden REVAQ-certified sludges can be used as fertilizers. There are many uses for recycled nutrients, and the market is undergoing rapid development,” says Ari Suomilammi, Vice President, Biogas Production, from Gasum.

Biogas production is part of a value chain of various players where not only energy but also recycled nutrients are recovered. To reach the targets and meet the requirements set, Gasum is exploring solutions in collaboration with wastewater treatment plants and other players in the sector. Some Gasum plants are already capable of separating nutrients from reject water of sewage sludge origin and supplying these recycled nutrients for a variety of uses.

Gasum will develop the solutions further in its production plant network and invest in the further refining of nutrient residues generated in biogas production with its partners. The aim is to refine nutrient residues from biogas production for purposes such as industrial process needs as, for example, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient solutions and to serve the needs of soil conditioning and agriculture even better. Recycled nutrients help save natural resources and can be used to replace products such as inorganic nutrients in industry.

Gasum is the leading processer of biodegradable waste and supplier of biogas in the Nordic countries. Gasum processes an annual total of 800,000 tonnes of biomass and produces an annual total of around 650 GWh of biogas at its twelve biogas plants.

Gasum’s Finnish biogas plants are located in Huittinen, Honkajoki, Kuopio, Oulu, Riihimäki, Turku and Vehmaa. Gasum also produces biogas with its partners in Espoo, Kouvola and Lahti. In Sweden Gasum has biogas plants in Jordberga, Katrineholm, Lidköping and Örebro as well as a majority shareholding in a production plant located in Västerås. In addition, Gasum has a 50% shareholding in Vadsbo Biogas in Sweden.

For more information please contact:

Ari Suomilammi, Vice President, Biogas Production, Gasum Ltd
Phone: +358 20 447 8754, firstname.surname@gasum.fi