Feedlot cows South Africa

From cow manure to feedstock for biogas: development capital for Colsen International

February 02, 2022

Invest International has closed a development contribution agreement with Colsen International for a feasibility study on using the company’s technology to process cow manure as feedstock into biogas, biofertilizer and CO2. The study is a step towards a full-scale plant where the sustainable technique can be applied. The project will be executed together with subsidiary Aquest Colsen in South Africa.

This agreement connects with the earlier project Invest International started with Colsen, where chicken manure is used to produce biogas and related products.

Biogas yield

Invest International is funding the feasibility phase where the biogas yield is confirmed based on a pilot to complete the financial model. In addition, during the feasibility phase, the costing for the full-scale plant will be detailed further. Also offtake agreements will be concluded, authorizations and licenses will be investigated and a trial will be undertaken to convert and operate trucks to run on the produced biogas.

The feasibility period is 12 to 18 months after which 6 to 12 months will be spent to get to arrange funding if the outcome of the feasibility supports the business case for the investment in a full-scale plant.

The impact:

  • Spreading the manure on the land as fertilizer releases large quantities of methane and CO2, which is avoided by using Colsens’ technology.
  • Besides contributing to SDG13 (Climate action), the project will also positively impact SDG8 (Decent work and economic growth) as employment will be generated with the operation of the plant.
  • Also it ticks SDG7 (Affordable and clean energy) through the provision of bioenergy and SDG9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) to introduce a new means of energy production to South Africa.
Read more on our view on impact
Two people discussing at a Colsen biogas installation

The feasibility study focuses on using the company’s technology to process cow manure as feedstock into biogas, biofertilizer and CO2. A step towards a full-scale plant where the sustainable technique can be applied. Photo: © Klaske Kuperus.

“With this development contribution we are able to pursue our position at the leading edge of environmental sustainability.”

Jurgen Brekelmans

Colsen Group Director

Environmental sustainability

Colsen Group Director Jurgen Brekelmans: “We know that the profitable growth of our company depends on the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of our customers around the world. Our technology is able to integrate these 3 values. With this development contribution, funded by Invest International, we are able to develop our second project in South Africa in the Agricultural sector and are able to pursue our position at the leading edge of environmental sustainability.”

More about Dutch SME Colsen

Colsen is a Dutch SME, an innovative family owned company, and an international expert with 30+ years of expertise in the field of water, environment and sustainable energy. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands with subsidiaries in Italy, Spain and South Africa.

Read more on this innovative family owned company

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