Finland’s first industrial-scale liquefied biogas production plant inaugurated in Nurmo
Suomen Lantakaasu’s biogas plant was inaugurated today in Nurmo. The plant is Finland’s first industrial-scale production facility for liquefied biogas and one of the most significant industrial investments supporting the green transition in South Ostrobothnia in recent years. The commissioning of the plant marks the establishment of a new biogas production ecosystem in one of Finland’s key food-producing regions. The biogas plant has been developed by Nurmon Bioenergia Oy, which is majority-owned by Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, with Atria Finland Ltd as a minority shareholder.
At the Nurmo plant, manure from local farms, along with other agricultural and food industry by-products, is processed into renewable fuel for transport and biofertilisers that recycle valuable nutrients.
The plant has an annual production capacity of approximately 100 gigawatt-hours of liquefied biogas, equivalent to around 10 million litres of diesel. The Nurmo biogas plant marks an important milestone in Suomen Lantakaasu’s broader growth plan. The company aims to build a nationwide biogas ecosystem and, in the future, produce a total of one terawatt-hour of domestic renewable energy annually. Thanks to its high energy density, liquefied biogas is particularly well suited to heavy-duty transport and provides a fossil-free alternative to diesel.
The reception of manure from local farms has started successfully, with more than 30,000 tonnes received to date. The plant is currently producing raw biogas, and the next phase will be to begin liquefaction, which is scheduled to start later this autumn.
Biogas production creates new opportunities for agriculture and the energy sector
– The completion of the Nurmo biogas plant marks a significant milestone for Suomen Lantakaasu. The project brings together food and energy production in a way that strengthens both security of supply and domestic renewable energy production. At the same time, we are creating new business opportunities around Finnish food production, improving the profitability of agriculture and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, says Leena Helminen, CEO of Suomen Lantakaasu Oy.
– The Nurmo biogas plant provides concrete support for Atria’s sustainability targets and our efforts to reduce emissions from food production. The plant enables the efficient use of food industry by-products and improves nutrient recycling. At the same time, the project strengthens the vitality of the entire South Ostrobothnia region and creates new opportunities for collaboration between agriculture, the food industry, energy production and transport, says Tauno Perälä, Senior Vice President, Industrial Delivery Chain, Atria Finland.
– We are proud that a new ecosystem has emerged in Nurmo, built on close collaboration between local farms, the food industry and energy sector operators. The project demonstrates how working together with farms can create solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish food production, improve nutrient recycling and generate renewable energy. It is particularly important to us that biogas production turns manure from Valio dairy farms into a valuable resource. By participating in biogas production, farms gain access to recycled fertilisers that are easier for crops to utilise, while also reducing emissions and achieving significant cost savings, says Tuomas Salusjärvi, Executive Vice President, Expansion Businesses and Renewal at Valio.
– Finland has strong potential to build a more self-sufficient renewable energy system, reduce import dependence and provide competitive alternatives to fossil fuels. By producing liquefied biogas at industrial scale from local feedstocks, the Nurmo plant contributes to all three. For St1 Biokraft, it is also an important step in scaling the Nordic biogas market by connecting production with growing demand from transport, maritime and industry, says Miika Johansson, CEO of St1 Biokraft.
The new biogas plant in Nurmo has been developed by Nurmon Bioenergia Oy, which is majority-owned by Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, with Atria Finland Ltd as a minority shareholder. Suomen Lantakaasu is a joint venture between St1 Biokraft and Valio. The company aims to accelerate the transition towards low-emission transport and more efficient nutrient recycling.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted EUR 9.4 million in energy investment aid to the Nurmo biogas plant project, and the Ministry of the Environment has provided EUR 101,800 in support for the biofertilizer loading tank investment at the Nurmo biogas plant.
Further information:
Leena Helminen
CEO, Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, Tel. +358 50 355 2004 leena.helminen@suomenlantakaasu.fi