Green fuels from Saxony-Anhalt: maximum sustainability in the production of biofuel
Technology leader VERBIO AG promotes the bio-economy in Germany and worldwide
A considerable amount of the biofuels produced each year in Germany come from Saxony-Anhalt, or, more precisely, from Bitterfeld and Zörbig. Biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane and pharmaceutical glycerine are produced in innovative processes at the state-of-the-art refineries of VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG. In this way, the company is making a significant contribution to the expansion of sustainable mobility in the future. VERBIO is also strengthening the regional agricultural sector on the basis of closed cycles and advanced technologies. The innovative, engaged company focuses on maximum sustainability in the production of biofuel – and successfully so.
Future prospects for all things bio
The first biodiesel plant of VERBIO was commissioned in Bitterfeld in 2001. The company now produces more than 722,000 tonnes of biofuels every year at four locations in Germany. VERBIO accounts for approximately 30% of the biodiesel and bioethanol on the German market for biofuels. In the case of biomethane as a fuel, they are the only notable manufacturer in Germany, and have a market share of roughly 90%. In this respect, some 580 employees dedicate themselves to the active protection of the environment on a daily basis. After all, according to the company's founder and executive director, Claus Sauter: "Without the integration of conventional and advanced biofuels which is open to the use of new technology, the climate targets for 2030 and the CO2 limits for trucks and buses won’t be achievable."
In addition to electric mobility and other approaches, sustainably-produced biofuels form an important building block in the de-carbonisation of transport. It therefore comes as no surprise that VERBIO is planning additional steps to expand its technological leadership in these areas and to strengthen the company's levels of efficiency. In this respect, bio is the clear future prospect.
Ongoing optimisation for sustainability
Together with the current executive director (COO) for biodiesel, with the inception of the Bitterfeld plant in 2001, Theodor Niesmann, the co-founder and current member of the supervisory board of VERBIO, Dr. Eng. Georg Pollert, established a highly efficient process for the production of biodiesel. In the course of the ongoing optimisation of the technology and the installations, the focus is on improving the CO2 efficiency of the biodiesel and increasing the efficiency regarding the use of the raw materials. The objective is to contribute to ecologically and economically efficient mobility on the basis of innovative biofuel technologies.
In the shape of the highly specialised Swiss technology company XiMo AG, VERBIO has acquired an expert with whom new markets and business segments are to be developed. The key in-house developments and technologies have been patented. In this context, what are known as metathesis catalysts are being developed which will enable the production of biogenic raw materials for specialist chemicals, agrochemicals, flavours and fragrances, as well as lubricants and cleaning agents. This will provide the basis for the further diversification of VERBIO's product range.
Exporting knowledge: investments in the USA and India – responding to global demand
The plants operated by VERBIO are proprietary developments. The technologies come from the company's own research and development department and its in-house plant design team. At the company's pilot plant for biomethane at its location in Zörbig, for example, new raw materials are specifically tested in fermenters with a fermentation volume of up to 600 l, and the optimum parameters are determined in long-term tests. Particular attention is paid to optimising the unique technology for the production of biomethane, 100% of which is made with the use of straw. The 100-90-0 formula applies to the production of biomethane by VERBIO: 100% straw and a 90% reduction in CO2 with 0% use of food raw materials. This knowledge from Saxony-Anhalt is now being exported, with the construction of new biomethane plants for straw in the USA and India. The new plants are an initial step towards internationalisation and VERBIO's response to the increasing worldwide demand for first- and second generation biofuels.
An holistic approach & the dual use of raw materials
The sustainable and efficient approach to natural resources and the environment form part of the VERBIO company philosophy. In this respect, all of its developments are planned on an holistic basis. An increased focus is to be made on the use of raw materials which, either as waste or surplus products, are not able to fulfil any other tasks. The waste products from the production processes should be as recyclable as possible. The alcohol-free mash produced during the production of bioethanol, known as stillage, is processed and marketed as animal feed for the agricultural sector, for instance. The bio-refinery plants at the Schwedt and Zörbig locations are also capable of refining the resulting slurry into biomethane and organic fertiliser. On this basis, VERBIO achieves a double utilisation of the raw material used and a 90% conversion into energy in the form of bioethanol and biomethane.
The glycerine produced during the production of biodiesel is further refined into a high-quality product for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, and the product of sterol is obtained from the rapeseed oil which is used as a raw material; this, in turn, is used as a dietary supplement for the reduction of cholesterol.
The progress continues: development, innovation, skilled specialists
Halfway through the year, VERBIO is to commission the third expansion stage of the production of sterol in Bitterfeld and therefore become one of the biggest producers of sterol on the world market. With these approaches, the creation of value and efficiency within the company are to be increased.
The fact that the company relies on know-how in its own team also contributes to the following: it is a company in which chemical technicians and laboratory assistants are trained and find future prospects. Postgraduate courses are offered to employees as part-time courses of study. The research and development also takes place in-house.
Author: Miriam Fuchs