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

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.

• 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.

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.”

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.