Auris Energy, the majority owner of Mäntsälän Biovoima, has made an investment decision on the expansion of its biogas plant in Mäntsälä.
The expansion will increase the plant’s biogas production capacity from around 17 gigawatt-hours a year to as much as 34 GWh through a new line processing slurry-type feedstocks. The total project value is around €8 million, with €3.6 million in support from the Ministry of the Environment’s nutrient recycling programme.
The new sludge line will be completely separate from the existing biowaste line, meaning that the Mäntsälä biogas factory will produce two different recycled fertiliser products. The biowaste line will produce organic fertiliser, while the new sludge line will produce conventional fertiliser.
Auris Energy has selected Watrec Oy, a Finnish biogas pioneer, as the main contractor. Watrec’s expertise and experience will ensure efficient, high-quality project delivery.
Greater flexibility and new opportunities
Mäntsälän Biovoima’s existing production line processes biowaste from retail and industry. The new, separate line in the expansion will add flexibility and capacity for biowaste processing.
The new line will help balance fluctuations in biowaste deliveries and ensure that the plant operates steadily and efficiently even when waste flows are at their highest.
Construction will proceed in stages
Detailed design of the biogas plant expansion has already begun. Construction will start in early 2025 with modifications inside the existing production buildings, followed by earthworks in spring. The new plant will be commissioned in autumn 2025.
“The investment enables us to diversify operations at the Mäntsälä biogas factory,” Auris Energy’s Director of New Business Ville Karttunen explains.
The expansion will increase the factory’s side streams, creating opportunities for new circular economy-based business. The next planned development in Mäntsälä is the capture of carbon dioxide of biological origin from the biogas upgrading process.
Another possible expansion is a reception point for biogas delivered in containers from plants outside the gas network, enabling those plants to inject biogas into the network to replace fossil natural gas.
Sustainable growth and environmental responsibility
The project reinforces Mäntsälän Biovoima’s and its majority owner Auris Energy’s commitment to sustainable energy production and nutrient recycling. The investment supports Finland’s transition towards a low-carbon circular economy and strengthens security of supply.
“Recycled fertiliser from the biogas plant promotes agricultural soil biodiversity. The organic matter in the fertiliser improves conditions for earthworms and other small soil organisms,” Karttunen continues.
Further information:
Ville Karttunen, Business Development Director, Auris Energy, ville.karttunen@aurisenergia.fi
Juhani Suvilampi, Managing Director, Watrec, j.suvilampi@watrec.fi
Maria Elojärvi, Communications and Sustainability Director, Auris Energy, maria.elojarvi@aurisenergia.fi