Can we prove the feasibility of bio‑LNG
production from organic waste at
a commercial scale?

Home / Use cases / Nordsol, Renewi and Shell

The Netherlands’ first bio-LNG plant,
a pioneering project in Amsterdam

At Nordsol, our mission is to transform biogas into the most sustainable bio-LNG possible. To demonstrate the commercial viability and reliability of our innovative bio-LNG technology, we built and operate the Netherlands’ first small-scale bio-LNG plant in Amsterdam.

This pioneering project, launched in collaboration with Shell as a long-term offtake partner and Renewi as the biogas supplier, serves as proof for our self-developed bio‑LNG technology. The plant showcases our energy-efficient technology designed specifically for small-scale, on-site bio-LNG production, achieving stable operation in just six months.

Our joint challenge was to bridge the gap between the worlds of waste management and transport fuels. We aimed to prove that converting organic waste into bio-LNG on-site could be done efficiently, reliably, and profitably on a commercial scale.

Key achievements
About the plant
  • Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Operational since: 2021
  • Bio-LNG capacity: 3.4 kilotons per year
  • Liquid bio-CO₂ capacity: 6.3 kilotons per year
  • Feedstock biogas: Organic supermarket and restaurant waste
  • Purpose of bio-LNG: Long-haul, heavy-duty road transport

‘The use of smart, energy‑efficient technology to optimize the utilization of all residual flows is the basis for a local, circular economy and a healthy business case.’

Jerom van Roosmalen, Co-founder of Nordsol

The challenge of Nordsol
Bringing small-scale, on-site bio-LNG innovation to life

We faced the challenge of bringing a new technology from concept to reality: producing bio-LNG directly from biogas at a commercial scale. Traditional LNG methods weren’t optimized for small-scale applications or for the unique characteristics of biogas.

Our challenges included:

  • Technical innovation: Proving that our newly designed bio-LNG technology is a reliable, energy-efficient process tailored to small-scale, on-site production.
  • Commercial viability: Developing a solution that is economically viable.
  • Regulatory navigation: Complying with safety and environmental standards, many of which were not yet fully defined because this was the first bio-LNG plant in the Netherlands.
  • Market demonstration: Proving our technology’s consistent performance by showcasing our unmanned plant, open to stakeholders and industry peers to observe its operations.

Our Amsterdam plant is primarily a commercial plant that needs to be profitable. However, it also serves as a demonstration facility for our innovative technology, validating its efficiency, reliability, and commercial viability for small-scale, on-site bio‑LNG production. By showcasing this potential, we aim to accelerate the energy transition in long-haul transportation.

About Nordsol

At Nordsol, we believe in bio-LNG as part of the solution to today's environmental challenges. With our breakthrough technology, we make the most sustainable bio-LNG possible, offering an attractive business case.

The challenge of Renewi
Future-proofing the value of biogas

Renewi, a leading European waste-to-product company, faced the challenge of enhancing the value derived from organic waste streams. Traditional methods like generating electricity from biogas were no longer profitable due to expiring subsidies. Renewi sought a sustainable and economically viable solution to process the biogas produced from organic waste collected across the Netherlands.

Their key challenges were:

  • Economic viability: Finding a profitable use for biogas as subsidies expired.
  • Resource efficiency: Enhancing value extraction to support circular economy principles.
  • Environmental impact: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing organic waste as a renewable energy source.

Renewi needed a partner to transform their biogas into a high-value product, creating new revenue streams while contributing to environmental sustainability.

About Renewi

Renewi focuses on transforming waste into valuable products and raw materials. By extracting value from diverse waste streams, they promote a circular economy and reduce environmental impact. Their mission is to give new life to used materials, supporting sustainability and contributing to a cleaner world.

The challenge of Shell
Incorporating renewable fuels into their energy portfolio

Shell aimed to incorporate renewable fuels into their energy portfolio to meet European regulations requiring fuel suppliers to include approximately 7% renewable energy in their total supply. They needed to provide sustainable energy options to customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Shell’s challenges included:

  • Regulatory compliance: Meeting EU renewable energy mandates.
  • Customer demand: Offering sustainable fuel options to environmentally conscious customers.
  • Local sustainability: Reducing environmental impact by minimizing fuel transportation distances.

Shell required a reliable, locally produced source of bio-LNG to blend with fossil LNG, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhanced sustainability.

About Shell

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, operating in more than 70 countries with 103,000 employees, focused on building a sustainable energy future through advanced technologies and innovation.

'Collaboration of partners within the chain leads to concrete results. This matches our vision on 'Waste No More' and also ties in with our commitment to take the lead in producing secondary raw materials from waste streams. By also using bio‑LNG itself when collecting this waste, Renewi closes the circle.'

Otto de Bont, CEO of Renewi

Our partnership and approach

Our partnership was forged through a shared vision of transforming waste into sustainable energy. Every partner was needed to make this project a success.

  • Nordsol brought pioneering technology and managed the engineering, procurement, and construction of the plant.
  • Shell provided a long-term offtake agreement for the bio-LNG, ensuring a stable market and integrating the renewable fuel into their existing LNG supply chain.
  • Renewi supplied high-quality biogas and hosted the plant on their site, facilitating seamless integration of waste processing and energy production.

Open communication and collaboration were key. Regular meetings, joint problem-solving sessions, and transparent planning ensured all parties were aligned and working towards common goals, streamlining the project’s progress.

First Dutch bio-LNG production plant in motion

Discover how the Netherlands' first bio-LNG plant was built, how it works, and relive its memorable opening by King Willem-Alexander. Watch the videos below to see this groundbreaking project in action.

  • Explained: From waste to trucks

    Renewi transforms organic waste into biogas, part of which Nordsol locally converts into bio-LNG using optimized technology. Shell distributes this bio-LNG to help customers reduce their CO₂ footprint.

  • Timelapse: Construction of the plant

    Starting in November 2020, the bio-LNG plant was built in ten months. Standardized modular design allowed for quick on-site installation of modules constructed in the workshop.

  • Aftermovie: Opening by King Willem-Alexander

    On October 14, 2021, King Willem-Alexander officially opened the Netherlands' first bio-LNG plant. We were honored to host His Majesty and key contributors who played crucial roles in this project.

  • Explained: From waste to trucks

    Renewi transforms organic waste into biogas, part of which Nordsol locally converts into bio-LNG using optimized technology. Shell distributes this bio-LNG to help customers reduce their CO₂ footprint.

  • Timelapse: Construction of the plant

    Starting in November 2020, the bio-LNG plant was built in ten months. Standardized modular design allowed for quick on-site installation of modules constructed in the workshop.

  • Aftermovie: Opening by King Willem-Alexander

    On October 14, 2021, King Willem-Alexander officially opened the Netherlands' first bio-LNG plant. We were honored to host His Majesty and key contributors who played crucial roles in this project.

  • Explained: From waste to trucks

    Renewi transforms organic waste into biogas, part of which Nordsol locally converts into bio-LNG using optimized technology. Shell distributes this bio-LNG to help customers reduce their CO₂ footprint.

  • Timelapse: Construction of the plant

    Starting in November 2020, the bio-LNG plant was built in ten months. Standardized modular design allowed for quick on-site installation of modules constructed in the workshop.

  • Aftermovie: Opening by King Willem-Alexander

    On October 14, 2021, King Willem-Alexander officially opened the Netherlands' first bio-LNG plant. We were honored to host His Majesty and key contributors who played crucial roles in this project.

Key achievements of this pioneering project

By collaboratively addressing our challenges, we, along with Shell and Renewi, have demonstrated that small-scale, on-site bio-LNG production from organic waste is both technically feasible and commercially viable. This pioneering project sets a new standard.

Our key achievements include:

  • Proven innovative technology: We designed and demonstrated the viability of our reliable, energy-efficient bio-LNG technology on a commercial scale. The plant operates autonomously and consistently, validating it as a viable market solution.
  • Renewable fuel production: We achieved annual production of 3.4 kilotons of bio-LNG, enabling a CO₂ reduction of approximately 8,000 tons per year in the heavy-duty transport sector through both the renewable fuel supply and bio-CO₂ capture.
  • Environmental impact: The project contributes to substantial CO₂ emission reductions, supporting a cleaner environment and promoting sustainability in the heavy transport sector.
  • Regulatory compliance: We successfully navigated safety and environmental standards by working closely with authorities, assisting Shell in meeting European renewable energy directives.
  • Resource valorization and circular economy: We provided Renewi with a sustainable solution to transform organic waste into high-value bio-LNG, supporting the circular economy and creating new revenue streams.
  • Local sustainability: Bio-LNG distribution is maintained within the Netherlands to avoid long-distance transportation, enhancing the project’s sustainability.

‘Bio‑LNG is the next step in making the cargo sector sustainable. Thanks to this collaboration we can offer our customers in the logistics industry a cleaner alternative, starting with road freight transport and, eventually, also maritime transport.’

Marjan van Loon, President Director of Shell Netherlands

Future outlook

Following the success of this pioneering project, we are now ready to scale up our technology and implement similar installations at biogas producers across Europe. Our focus remains on developing local, circular solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport while creating value from waste streams.

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