For more information on biogas services call us on +41 32 720 05 20

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Extensive experience with substrates and co-substrates

MBP has an extensive track record and experience with a variety of substrates for biogas and biomethane production and is one of the major players in the area of industrial (non agricultural) feedstocks.

We provide a large range of substrates for biogas and biomethane plants, also known as anaerobic digestion plants. The substrates originate from food/feed or oleochemical producers where they are generated as inevitable by-products. They are typically used as co-substrates in combination with other agricultural substrates.

At MBP we ensure that these substrates are analyzed and then registered for use in biogas plants. We calculate their gas potential and monitor that the substrates comply with legal requirements and product specifications.

Our people’s excellent technical knowledge enables them to evaluate how substrates proposed for any individual plant would interact with the rest of the substrate and how the substrate can be managed within the biogas and biomethane plant in order to get an optimized output of biogas or biomethane.

The biogas and biomethane market

Many countries consider biogas and biomethane as important elements in reaching renewable energy targets because of their neutral carbon footprint.

The EU has addressed public concern about the adverse consequences of producing biofuels through the introduction of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in 2009, recently amended by the Directive 2015/1513. MBP supports the RED and is fully committed to supplying substrates for biogas and biomethane production complying with the requirements of the RED.

The Circular Economy is an increasingly topical and sensitive topic and biogas and biomethane plants offer a great opportunity to avoid landfilling and to recover energy from material streams that have no other possibility of re-use whilst reducing problems caused by wet organic fractions in incineration plants.

Under our Sustainability policy MBP is committed to supplying substrates and co-substrates produced only from waste and by-products, not from crops.

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The supply chain challenges for biogas and biomethane industrial co-substrates

In today’s market, it is important to choose an established, experienced and professional supplier.

Industrial substrates and co-substrates for biogas and biomethane are difficult to source on long-term contracts. Many customers want long-term supply contracts which give supply security however a large part of the market for substrates is a short-term market only.

Often industrial substrates and co-substrates for biogas and biomethane have poorly defined quality profiles and technical characteristics with regard to how they can integrate into a biogas or biomethane plant. This is often due to lack of focus and knowledge by the industrial producers and by the scarce general knowledge on the biological processes that are at the base of the biogas production.

The biogas and biomethane industry is still a young industry – and thus an industry with
teething troubles stemming from many new and small players; lack of product standards; and suppliers’ and customers’ lack of experience with the products. This is why it is so important for buyers to make sure they are working with established providers like MBP.

How the MBP approach addresses these challenges

MBP sourcing

MBP has unique long-term relations with an increasing number of suppliers of industrial residues and by-products that can be used as substrates for biogas and biomethane generation. This puts MBP in the unique position of being able to guarantee long-term contracts. When you buy substrates from MBP, you can be confident that MBP will honor the contract, as you are not just dealing with the middleman.

MBP quality

MBP is dedicated to supplying products with a defined quality profile as specified. A stringent quality control program ensures that all orders are produced to defined quality standards before delivery to the customer. This guarantees the customer a problem free application. ReSource Labs, part of the MBP Group, offers dedicated analytical services to assess the full profile of all substrates.

MBP logistics

On a daily basis our team in charge of logistics management and customer service ensures that our products are delivered on time and according to all agreements. This is particularly relevant for biogas and biomethane plants as they often rely on local networks for their material supply.

MBP’s unique technical skills

Customers have very specific and technical requirements. Our deep chemical knowledge combined with solid technical competence ensures that by-products from various industries can be matched to plants in order to optimize individual substrates. ReSource Labs, for example, offers specialized analyses that allow a precise evaluation of feedstock.

MBP customer service and support

MBP services customers in several geographical areas. MBP sells biogas substrates to biogas plants in most European countries as well as in North America. These biogas plants can be small farm-based plants or big community-owned plants. The plants use the biogas (a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other gases) to produce electricity and heat or they can process the biogas into pure methane in order to use it as fuel for vehicles.

Although MBP substrates for biogas, on the whole, have the same impact and bring the same gas yield across different biogas plants, we realise that each plant is unique. Close co-operation between MBP and biogas and biomethane producers is essential to maximize the benefits from the substrates and hence optimize biogas productivity. MBP helps customers evaluating products with regards to:

gas potential (energy potential)
how the product fits into the mixture of substrates
compliance with environmental legislation
on site handling cost
logistics and storage

Over the years we have gained experience from a wide range of biogas and biomethane plants using various substrates and now know how these substrates should be fed into the process tanks or combined with other material to enhance gas production.

MBP biogas and biomethane substrates

Different biogas plants have different needs. At MBP we know that what is the right solution for one plant may not be the right solution for another. We are also aware that over time a biogas plant may need different types of substrates according to the season, the stability of the plant or other operational considerations. Our substrates and co-substrates are derived from the animal and vegetable oil refining industry; from biodiesel production; the oleochemical and glycerine industry; as well as from some food production. We have a variety of substrates with variable gas potential. In addition to substrate variety, we offer flexibility in delivery.

Examples of our substrates are:
•  Soap stock
•  Fat residues
•  Fat/Fatty Acids – Water Emulsions
•  Crude Glycerin
•  Glycerin Byproducts
•  Alkaline Glycerin/G-Phase
•  Bleaching Earth
•  Lecitines / Phospholipids
•  Waste Water Sludge

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For more information on biofuel services call us on +41 32 720 05 20

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Circular Economy

The circular economy

The circular economy is characterized by Production, Recycle and Recovery where the whole system is designed in order to minimize waste and keep the materials in use for as long as possible.

What is our go green scheme?

MBP has helped a wide range of industries to improve many different aspects of their by-product management. We can help your business go green.