Biofuel from VFG waste
You can produce biofuel from vegetable, fruit and garden waste, which saves millions of diesel kilometres lost to heavy road transport. We are researching the feasibility of this alternative fuel in collaboration with Twente Milieu and AVIA Weghorst.
Why should we make LBG biofuel?
Our fossil raw materials are running out. This is why we are looking for alternative fuels. Biofuel is a green alternative to the diesel that a lot of trucks run on at present. The production of biofuel is an important step in making the region more sustainable. This is how we can make a significant contribution to a biobased economy: a form of circular economy where biological raw materials are recycled as much as possible. We are able to make this biofuel from vegetable, fruit and garden waste, in combination with biogas from landfill sites and materials that have passed their expiry date. This is how we turn VFG waste into a valuable raw material that saves us 6.5 million diesel kilometres per year. That is more than 162 times around the world.
Biofuel from VFG waste
Vegetable, fruit and garden waste contains valuable raw materials that we can bring back into the cycle. We are already doing this by making compost and biogas from them. At the moment, we are using biogas to produce electricity and heat. Over time, we are planning to convert biogas into a liquid form, also known as Liquefied Bio Gas or LBG. In its liquid form, it can be used as a fuel for trucks and thereby replace the usage of diesel. LBG has even more advantages over biogas: you can store it more easily and compactly and it is also easier to transport.
Working together to close the cycle
We are exploring the opportunities for this biofuel together with two regional partners, Twente Milieu and AVIA Weghorst. As a collector of VFG waste, Twente Milieu wants to run their trucks on this sustainable fuel. AVIA Weghorst has several filling stations in the region and will then be handling the distribution of the biofuel. This is how we are closing the VFG cycle and making the region more sustainable.
How do you make biofuel or LBG?
LBG stands for Liquefied Bio Gas, as in, fluid biogas. This fuel is similar to liquefied natural gas, except that it is made from natural sources. At Twence, we make this fuel out of vegetable, fruit and garden waste from households and businesses in Twente. Biogas is created by fermenting fruit, vegetable and garden waste. We store this gas in a gas sphere. We then remove CO2 and other impurities from the gas. Then we have green gas, which is liquefied by cooling it down to -162°C. Once it turns liquid, you can transport the LBG biofuel to filling stations in the region. Trucks (e.g. Twente Milieu) can then fill up at these filling stations.
Results
Recovering more raw materials
By producing biofuel from vegetable, fruit and garden waste, we are making even more sustainable use of existing raw materials. We are the first in the Netherlands to use vegetable, fruit and garden waste collected from the region for the production of biofuel.
Cooperation in the regional chain
Three regional organisations, Twente Milieu, AVIA Weghorst and Twence, together have the innovative power to make the region more sustainable.Biofuel from VFG waste
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October 2019
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Late 2021
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Late 2022
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End of 2023
Start of the feasibility study
At the end of 2019, we started, together with our regional partners Twente Milieu and AVIA Weghorst, a study into the opportunities for biofuel from VFG waste. Our ambition? To commit to renewable and alternative fuels. Locally produced from VFG waste, available at regional filling stations and used again in the collection of VFG waste.
Green light for the construction of the facility
Once the green light is given for the construction of the plant, the phase where we prepare everything from procurement to applying for permits, will commence.
Start of the construction of the plant
In late 2022, we expect to start construction of the plant that is capable of converting the biogas into liquid biofuel.
First delivery of biofuel
AVIA Weghorst will receive the first tanker trucks with biofuel and Twente Milieu will drive the first pick-up round running on biofuel from VFG waste.
"Sustainable alternative fuels that you can use for more heavy-duty transportation and over long distances do not exist yet. And I don't have any faith in alternatives that are based on natural gas, such as LNG. Instead, we need to extract gas from other sources and convert it into a sustainable fuel that is suitable for heavy transportation."
Niek Weghorst, Director AVIA Weghorst
“The idea that our trucks will soon be riding around on fuel made from the VFG waste collected from Twente's residents is terrific, of course! It fits in perfectly with the steps we are taking towards a fully sustainable fleet of vehicles."
Twente Milieu, Lennart Driessen
"Our cooperation partners Twente Milieu and AVIA Weghorst have substantial sustainability ambitions, just as we do. They want to join us in responding to the energy transition, circular entrepreneurship and committing to renewable and alternative fuels."
Tijs Mocking, Project Manager TwenceContact us
Any questions or comments?
Do you have any questions about our biofuel from VFG waste project? We'd love to hear what's on your mind. Please fill in the form and we will get in touch with you.
Tijs Mocking
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