South Ostrobothnia, Food system-based hub

CBG and LBG, Food system-based hub

In the South Ostrobothnia biogas hub, the most significant potential use of biogas is related to primary production, such as large farms and the food industry. The Nurmo Bioenergy biogas plant will be a large-scale liquefied biogas (LBG) production facility in the region. A regional biogas ecosystem based on large cattle and pig farms is also planned for Kurikka. The Ilmajoki biogas plant of Lakeuden Etappi produces biogas and soil improvement granule from biowaste and soil treatment sludge. In addition, there are individual agricultural companies in South Ostrobothnia that have biogas production for their own use, for example, in Vimpeli and Karijoki.

In addition to the cattle and pig farms in the area, the key players include heavy-duty transport companies. More extensive utilization of biogas requires a large enough input potential for slurry, dry manure, and various digestible side stream products from arable farming at a sufficient distance from the potential plant. To increase biogas production, cooperation is needed among companies in the region and potential biogas producers. Companies also need to have a willingness to invest – and specifically in the use of biogas – for example, in trucking. In the case of new plant investments, challenges arise to find a financing base and to ensure the functionality of the ownership arrangements. The recycling of digestion waste, i.e., the reject, back into the fields as a fertilizer must also be solved.