By installing additional PEM electrolysers, Hy2gen plans to upgrade the facility by the end of 2025. (Image source: Hy2gen)

Hy2gen’s ATLANTIS facility, located in Werlte, Germany, has been certified by CertifHy as the first site in the country to produce RFNBO-compliant e-methane under the EU’s sustainability framework for renewable fuels

This certification confirms that ATLANTIS meets all EU criteria for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO), including sustainability, traceability, and lifecycle emissions. By installing additional polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysers, Hy2gen plans to upgrade the facility by the end of 2025, to meet the growing demand for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives. 

As part of its strategy, Hy2gen has also signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a German hydropower plant to supply additional renewable electricity to the ATLANTIS plant in the future. This will enable Hy2gen to expand the facility’s electrolysis capacity, increasing its ability to supply certified fuels to the European and international markets.

Managing director of Hy2gen Deutschland GmbH, Matthias Lisson expressed pride in the company being one of the first RFNBO hydrogen and e-methane molecules producing site in the world. “Our team at the ATLANTIS plant in Werlte are pioneers in the production of e-methane. Right now, we are operating the biggest e-methane production site in the world,” said Lisson. With the RFNBO certification, we increase the value of our molecules, as it offers our clients the security that our products are 100% renewable and can be used to decarbonise industrial sectors to comply with EU regulations.”

Thanks to WELTEC‘s customised design, biogas plants can also be operated in areas with high snowfall. (Image source: WELTEC)

Following the installation of several agricultural plants in recent years, WELTEC BIOPOWER has now reported an order for a 450 kW plant from the agricultural sector as well as a 250 kW biogas plant in Yamagata Prefecture, with an additional WELTEC BLUE WATER treatment, which is currently being implemented

Thanks to its many years of project experience in earthquake zones – in Japan and Greece – WELTEC BIOPOWER is able to adapt its technical solutions to seismically active areas in the shortest possible time using special structural engineering. Yamagata Prefecture has two digesters available to feed 80 tons of cattle manure per day. This is used to exclusively generate electricity and heat in the 250 kW plant. 

WELTEC's scope of supply also includes two storage tanks, a pump container, a separation unit and the combined heat and power plant (CHP). In addition to the biogas project, a WELTEC BLUE WATER plant with a processing capacity of 50,000 tons of digestate (manure and wastewater from milk production) per year is currently being constructed. The treatment technology works by separating the digestate from the biogas plant in a multi-stage process into solid and liquid fertiliser and dischargeable water. The resulting solid phase offers a wide range of marketing options, which includes its use as fertiliser in the field or as bedding in stables. This enables the operator to make additional savings on transport costs by reducing the volume of the source material. 

Output material distribution varies depending on the amount of dry matter present within the fermentation residue which comprises around 3% solid fertiliser, 29% nutrient concentrate and 68% water. Moreover, the sophisticated modular design of the industrial technology allows an ease in future expansion. 

Everyday, operators of the plant fill it with 18 tons of cattle manure, along with food waste from nearby areas. The modular digester system from WELTEC makes it possible to individually adapt the diameter and height to meet customers‘ volume requirements or local building regulations, such as height restrictions. The fermentation residue from the 450 kW plant is processed in sewage treatment plants near the sites before being used as fertiliser. A further plant is currently being planned in Nagano Prefecture. The height of the digester is also adapted as a special solution to 5.03 m and equipped with a capacity of 450 kW.  Another plant is currently being planned in Nagano Prefecture.

The WELTEC CONTROL software allows Japanese operators to get quick access to a number of important system parameters, with its intuitive user interface also simplifying feeding processes. 

The partnership advances the One Health platform of animal health solutions. (Image source: Elanco)

To leverage Medgene’s innovative vaccine platform technology, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated has entered into an agreement with the company to commercialise the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine for use in dairy cattle

Efforts by the poultry industry to reduce or irradiate HPAI spread have continued to be challenging as the current outbreak enters its fourth year. The cross-species and zoonotic transmission of the disease indicates the urgent need for intervention and calls for the development of a vaccine that can slow virus spread between birds and cattle.

“As egg prices soar and milk production wanes in infected dairies, the need for new solutions to curb disease spread is evident,” says Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, while expressing his pleasure to partner with Medgene. “This partnership further strengthens our diverse dairy portfolio and advances our One Health platform of animal health solutions, not only benefitting our dairy customers, but helping curb disease spread for our poultry customers, and working to improve egg prices for consumers.” 

This single-dose product comes in a 30 mL tube and should be administered after the calf has had colostrum. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With their mission and commitment to care, BioZyme has introduced VitaFerm Sure Start Gel aimed at creating a positive impact on the health and wellbeing on animals, while also maximising efficiencies for producers

The new VitaFerm Sure Start Gel contains AO-Biotics Amaferm, a research-proven prebiotic that supports digestibility by stimulating beneficial microbes and offers several benefits to give newborns a sure start. Furthermore, it delivers IgY antibodies derived from Salmonella, E. coli, bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, and Clostridium and MOS for broad support of the immune system. It also provides nutritional support to maximise calf vigor.  

This single-dose product comes in a 30 mL tube and should be administered after the calf has had colostrum. For best results, it is recommended to be given within the first 24 hours of birth and repeated daily as needed. The bright orange colour allows for distinct recognition of administration.

“Getting calves off to the best start possible is paramount for their long-term health and, ultimately, your profitability. While a year-round VitaFerm programme can improve colostrum quality, Sure Start Gel uses our new Broad-Shield technology to give an additional boost of immunity,” said BioZyme director of Beef Technical Sales, Chris Cassady. “VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is research-proven to enhance the efficacy of the antibodies the cow naturally passes to her calf, giving your calves every chance to develop their immune system and capitalise on healthy, efficient performance.”