Case 12.1: Greve Biogass - biogas from agricultural and municipal waste and sewage – Norway
Name of the company: Greve Biogass AS
Country: Norway
Size of the business: 12 employees
Website: http://grevebiogass.no/
Background
Greve Biogas is a partnership established by 11 different municipalities in the Western region of Oslo-fjord. The story of the company started in 2008, and then, on one hand, the local politicians wanted to do something regarding green sector, and on the other hand, the farmers in the region had problems with too much manure. Thus, the establishment of Greve Biogass provided an opportunity to address both issues and keep up the agricultural production, while using the manure and agricultural residues for biogas production. It was decided that all public transport (buses in the region) should be fuelled by biogas and thus a market was established.
Main activities
Greve Biogas produces biogas from household waste and manure from agricultural production. Company has a biogas distribution network. The company is focused on circular bioeconomy development in cooperation with local farmers and public sector.
Market
Company sells biogas directly to local public transportation companies. Company operates its own biogas station and has one selling site and one production site. The digestate is sold directly to farmers.
Challenges and solutions
At the time being, the market outlook is positive. One possible development is the impact of electrification of transport, as the company has to find new ways of using biogas then. The biggest problems for the business development have been how to prepare household garbage before processing into biogas. The future plans are related to the company’s expansion. There are plans to invest in one more production line to start processing sewage sludge.
Funding
Total investments were around 50 million EUR of which 20 million EUR are public funding and 30 million EUR are financed by loan.
What makes this case innovative?
Case represents the using of municipal waste and sewage for biogas and thus developing circular economy by utilizing waste for new product streams.
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