Manure Valorisation Zenderen
We are building a manure valorisation plant in Zenderen. This will enable us to extract valuable raw materials and energy from manure and put them back into the cycle.
Why opt for a manure valorisation plant?
In the eastern part of the Netherlands, there is a large manure surplus of which more than 1,000,000 m3 has to be processed every year. With the manure valorisation plant in Zenderen, we are able to treat 250,000 m3 of manure per year. This is about 15% of the total regional manure surplus that needs to be treated. The plant produces green gas for 3,000 households and we also use it to recover scarce raw materials. In other words, 100% circular agriculture. In order to set up the plant, we are working together with pig farmers and manure intermediaries in Twente and parts of Salland and the Achterhoek regions. We expect to start treating the first manure in the spring of 2022.
Contributing to regional sustainability
The construction of the manure valorisation plant is an important step in making the region more sustainable. It supports our own ambition to be a regional sustainability company. We want to put as many biological raw materials as possible back into the cycle. Because the manure is collected from the farmer as quickly as possible, this reduces the amount of ammonia and methane emissions. This is also beneficial for the living environment in the sheds. At present, a lot of manure is driven to the northern provinces. By treating the manure locally, a lot of transport journeys are avoided. That also leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
How does manure valorisation work?
Manure is full of energy and raw materials, including the minerals phosphate, potassium and ammonia. With our plant, we extract these valuable raw materials from the manure. We make new raw materials from this, substitutes for artificial fertilisers, and we distil clean water from it as well, which we return to the surrounding streams. We also produce biogas, which is then upgraded to green gas in order to supply it to households. The process diagram is depicted on the right.
The manure that is delivered by trucks is pumped into the fermentation plant. Here, bacteria converts organic matter into gaseous methane and CO2. This gas is upgraded to the quality of natural gas using a technical facility. We supply this gas to the public gas network.
The fraction that is left over in the fermenter is processed further into a thin and a thick fraction. The thin fraction is then subjected to further processing in this system. It can be used to make a variety of artificial fertiliser substitutes for agriculture. The thick fraction is used as phosphate fertiliser in areas where there is a shortage of phosphate.
The manure valorisation process
Watch the video for the manure valorisation process.
Results
New raw materials
The recovered raw materials ammonia, potassium and phosphate are used as fertiliser for agriculture and industry.
Clean water
The water that is extracted from the manure is clean water. We return it to nature via the surrounding brooks.
How does our manure valorisation help farmers?
Since 2014, the Dutch livestock and poultry sector has had a legal obligation to treat manure. Part of the mineral surplus in the manure has to be removed from the manure chain. This way, the soil and surface water and groundwater are not subjected to any more pollution. The manure valorisation plant in Zenderen offers farmers a structural solution for their manure surplus. By building this plant, we are working together on a sustainable solution for the manure treatment obligation.
This offers the following advantages:
Construction planning of the Zenderen manure valorisation plant
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October 2020
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February 2021
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Spring 2021
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Spring 2022
Approval of the construction plans
In October 2020, the Dutch Council of State ruled in favour of the construction of the manure valorisation plant in Zenderen. After years of preparations and intensive cooperation, all signs are now green for go.
Start of the construction of the manure valorisation plant
The plant will be built in Zenderen on the former Elhorst-Vloedbelt landfill site. The plant will be built under the existing roof. In addition, we are also building the tanks for the fermentation of the manure.
Entering into supply agreements with pig farmers
In the spring of 2021, we will enter into supply agreements with pig farmers in Twente and parts of Salland and the Achterhoek. This way, we know that we will soon receive enough manure to run the plant at optimal capacity.
Putting the manure valorisation plant into operation
The first pig farmers will be able to start supplying their manure in the spring of 2022. We will start with the production of energy and extraction of valuable raw materials.
"I became a pig farmer so I could work with my animals, not with manure. That's why I'm signing up with Twence."
Gerben Dekke, Pig farmer
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"We don't have to worry about manure or any future changes in legislation. We can focus entirely on our pigs."
Nijhof family, Pig farmer
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"Twence is banking on proven technology that we have confidence in. And they have a solid business case. So together we are providing a long-term solution."
Linda Janssen, Chair POV (Dutch Pig Breeders' Organisation)
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Arno Brandwagt
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