Biogas Producer WELTEC BIOPOWER Constructs Biomethane Facility for Cattle Farmers in West France
France is leading the charge in Europe's biomethane production, with an impressive 21% higher production than Germany and three times more plants, albeit with smaller average capacities [1]. The French government's energy and climate strategy (PPE3) aims to inject 44 TWh of biomethane into the gas grid by 2030, double the current share [1][3].
One notable contributor to this ambitious target is the biomethane plant being constructed by German manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER for Elivia Group, one of France's largest beef producers, in Le Lion-d'Angers, western France. The plant, scheduled to go into operation in November 2025, will produce 17 GWh of biomethane annually from a mixture of slaughterhouse waste, fats, sewage sludge, and animal by-products, with a processing capacity of 85 t of raw material per day [3].
The plant's construction is part of Elivia Group's commitment to green energy sources. With a workforce of 2,700 and an annual sales volume of 152,000 t of meat, Elivia underscores the importance of sustainable energy [3]. The investment for this project is approximately €6 million.
WELTEC BIOPOWER is providing two pump stations in the container for the biomethane plant, as well as the stainless steel digesters, each with a capacity of 4,991 m³, and the storage tank for the materials [3]. The digestate from the biomethane plant will be used as high-quality agricultural fertiliser.
The operation of the biomethane plant will be user-friendly, increasing transparency, safety, and efficiency of work processes. WELTEC BIOPOWER uses its web-based control software, WELTEC CONTROL, for smooth synchronisation of the plant. This allows Elivia users to access relevant process data [3].
The biomethane plant at Elivia extends sustainability across the entire value chain, including food safety and energy supply. By producing biomethane, Elivia Group is reducing its carbon emissions and contributing to France's goal of doubling biomethane’s share in energy production by 2030 [3].
WELTEC BIOPOWER and AGRIPOWER France have already successfully rolled out 25 biogas projects over the past 13 years [3]. This latest collaboration further demonstrates their commitment to supporting France's renewable energy and decarbonization targets.
Biomethane is playing an increasingly important role in decarbonizing the energy sector in France. The biomethane produced at the Elivia plant will be fed into the public gas grid, helping to reduce carbon emissions and support the country's transition to a greener energy future.
[1] Biomethane production in France: https://www.enerdata.net/IMG/pdf/france-biomethane-production-2020.pdf [2] BioBéarn anaerobic digestion unit: https://www.totalenergies.com/media/news/press-releases/2021/total-energies-commissions-the-biobearn-anaerobic-digestion-unit [3] WELTEC BIOPOWER press release: https://www.weltec-biopower.com/en/news/press-releases/weltec-biopower-constructing-biomethane-plant-for-elivia-group-in-france/ [4] Veolia Group's biomethane plant: https://www.veolia.com/en/media/news/press-releases/veolia-inaugurates-its-largest-biomethane-plant-in-france-based-on-municipal-waste
- The French biomethane production is leading Europe's charge, with France producing 21% more than Germany, despite having smaller plants.
- The French government aims to inject 44 TWh of biomethane into the gas grid by 2030, almost doubling the current share.
- Elivia Group, a large French beef producer, is constructing a biomethane plant, scheduled to go into operation in November 2025, with WELTEC BIOPOWER.
- The biomethane plant at Elivia will produce 17 GWh of biomethane annually, from waste materials, and have a processing capacity of 85 t of raw material per day.
- The investment for this project is approximately €6 million and will contribute to France's goal of doubling biomethane’s share in energy production by 2030.
- By producing biomethane, Elivia Group is reducing its carbon emissions, extending sustainability across the entire value chain, and aiding France's transition to a greener energy future.
