EIT InnoEnergy invests in Dutch-based Methaplanet to help boost biogas production

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Methaplanet, a Dutch biogas technology provider, has secured funding to support its global expansion efforts and maximise its impact.

Announced back in September, European sustainable energy accelerator EIT InnoEnergy led the funding round as a strategic partner. However, the funding amount was not disclosed.

“The structure and ecosystem of EIT InnoEnergy, with leading international industrials and financial companies as shareholders as well as strong link to the EU, provides a good platform for collaboration,” says Xander Sandell, founder and CEO of Methaplanet, regarding the partnership with InnoEnergy.

This investment will also help Methaplanet to scale up its production of the Maxximizer, its patented technology. It enhances the efficient usage of low-yield feedstock for biogas production.

The Maxximizer was developed through close collaboration with industry and scientific experts, including WESSLING France, a laboratory testing services provider. This patented facility combines thermal and mechanical processes for producing high-yielding energy pellets from feedstock such as straw, straw-based manure, or grass.

Unique process

According to the company, the Maxximizer’s unique process significantly enhances the susceptibility of the organic matter in the feedstock to the bacteria in biogas plants. Methaplanet has demonstrated that this technology consistently increases feedstock yield by five times while reducing the retention time in the plant by nearly threefold.

“Availability of feedstock for biogas plants is a challenge in most European countries. We will make a significant contribution to solve this challenge and contribute to the energy transition and the circular economy,” says Sandell.

Unlike most biogas companies, Methaplanet does not build biogas plants – they supply plants with the Maxximizer to optimise the production of high-yield energy pellets. 

“We are impressed by the founding team, its partners, the pilot plant in France, and growth prospects. We believe InnoEnergy can play an instrumental role in accelerating the growth of Methaplanet through our innovation ecosystem,” says Roel Van Diepen, investment manager of EIT InnoEnergy Benelux.

InnoEnergy’s climate goals

The European Commission launched the REPowerEU Plan in May 2022, aiming to help the EU address the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU can become more energy-secure and resilient by saving energy, producing clean energy, and diversifying its energy supplies. 

InnoEnergy is an avid participant in the plan, with its own goal of transitioning Europe into carbon neutral by 2050. The company is spearheading the movement through the leadership of the three industrial alliances: battery storage, green hydrogen and solar photovoltaics.

InnoEnergy has established an extensive sustainable energy innovation ecosystem, backing over 500 sustainable energy innovations and investing in more than 200 companies. These efforts generated $110B (€104B) in revenue and 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions reduced by 2030.

Methaplant is the latest addition to its list of investments. The company provides customised support to Methaplanet, along with other startups, scale-ups, and innovators, to help them improve their business models, reduce risk, and get to the sustainable energy market faster. 

“In order to achieve our climate goals and diversify away from fossil fuels, the growth of biogas production is an important priority for the EU, with RepowerEU ambitions targeting more than a 10-fold increase in biogas supply by 2030,” adds Van Diepen.

Ninety per cent of the startups backed by InnoEnergy have collaborated with well-known global brands, including ABB, BMW, EDF, Engie, Volkswagen, Galp, Schneider Electric, and Naturgy.

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