Suomen Lantakaasu transforms agricultural byproducts into renewable energy
Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, a joint venture between Valio and the biomethane company St1 Biokraft, aims to accelerate the energy transition in food production and transportation. The company is building a network of biogas plants in Finland that utilize farm manure and other agricultural byproducts to produce renewable fuel.
Suomen Lantakaasu Is part of the green transition in agriculture and improves Finland’s energy self-sufficiency. Of the approximately 15-17 million tonnes of livestock manure generated every year in Finland, about 7-8 million tonnes come from the farms belonging to the cooperatives that own Valio. In Finland, only a small share of manure from production animals is currently processed by biogas plants.
Circular economy at its best
Manure biogas is a concrete solution for reducing emissions in two different sectors:
Agriculture: When manure is processed in a biogas plant, methane emissions produced from its storage are reduced. At the same time, farms gain access to recycled fertilizer, which replaces fossil-based fertilizers. Recycled fertilizer can also help reduce dependence on imported fossil-based fertilizers.
Transport: The biogas produced is liquefied (LBG) for use as fuel in heavy-duty vehicles, offering a lower-emission alternative to fossil fuels. At the same time, farms gain access to recycled fertilizer, which replaces fossil-based fertilizers. The use of recycled fertilizer can also reduce dependence on imported fossil-based fertilizers.
Aiming for a significant reduction in emissions: Suomen Lantakaasu aims to produce a total of 1 terawatt hour (1 TWh) of renewable fuel. Finland’s total manure feedstock can produce about 3-5 TWh of biomethane, which would be enough to meet the annual fuel needs of 400,000 passenger cars or nearly 30,000 light trucks.
Locally Produced Biogas
Certified biogas production is based on locally sourced raw materials and collaboration with farmers.
Certified Production: REDcert certified biogas plants demonstrate that the origin, production and emission impacts of biogas can be reliably verified.
Local Operations: The plant network is built close to raw material sources, helping to minimize transport-related emissions.
Collaboration: We work closely with farmers to ensure a smooth biogas production chain from primary production to the final product.
One terawatt hour (1 TWh) of biogas covers approximately 25% of the annual fuel needs of all trucks and lorries in Finland.
