Queen Máxima opens innovative bio-LNG plant in Wilp

The plant produces sustainable bio-LNG from biogas generated by fermenting vegetable, fruit, and garden waste (VFG). This brings the sustainability of maritime and heavy road transport one step closer.

“We are honored that Queen Máxima has opened our plant,” said John van Haeff, Organic Business Unit Manager at Attero. “This plant proves that waste is a source of clean energy and new raw materials. Together with Nordsol, we are directly contributing to CO2 reduction and promoting the circular economy.”

The plant will annually convert 6 million Nm3 of biogas from household VFG waste into 2,400 tons of high-purity bio-LNG and 5,000 tons of liquid bio CO2. Based on average consumption, trucks can cover over 10 million kilometers with this amount of bio-LNG. Additionally, the transformation of waste into energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Over the next ten years, Attero and Nordsol expect a CO2 emission reduction of 87,500 tons, equivalent to the CO2 absorption of more than 4 million trees.

“This Dutch innovation makes local production of bio-LNG from organic waste streams very attractive,” said Robert Goevaers, director of the Green Gas Platform. “This will not only accelerate the sustainability of heavy transport but also contribute to a truly circular and fossil-free economy.”

Bio-LNG from fossil-free sources can play a key role in sectors where full electrification is challenging. Especially for heavy freight transport over long distances, as well as shipping and aviation, full electrification is not yet feasible, making the use of renewable fuels crucial. Thanks to the immediate applicability of bio-LNG in the existing infrastructure, it offers a scalable and cost-effective solution.

“With our technology, we produce true bio-LNG, not from fossil sources but from organic waste,” says Léon van Bossum, CEO of Nordsol. “We can already apply this technology to many of the 20,000 biogas plants in Europe, thereby reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.”

In 2021, the European Union granted the project a €4.3 million subsidy. The EU sees a significant role for bio-LNG in making long-distance heavy transport more sustainable. In 2022, the European Parliament passed the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, aimed at gradually reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels in the sector, starting with a 2% reduction by 2025 and increasing to an 80% reduction by 2050. The Attero and Nordsol bio-LNG plant supports the European goals for climate and energy transition.

“The European Commission sees great potential in the Attero and Nordsol bio-LNG plant,” said Daniel Mes, a member of the Cabinet of European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. “We are closely following developments with interest and enthusiasm.”