Kalundborg Bioenergy
Turning insulin waste into energy
In co-operation with Ørsted, Bigadan has established a full-scale biogas plant that we now operate. The plant handles waste products from the insulin and enzyme production at Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.
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Bigadan processes yeast cream from Novozymes annually 300.000 tons
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Processing yeast cream cover the heating consumption annually 15.000 households
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The production equates to a total annual reduction of CO2 72.000 tons
A meaningful partnership
Bigadan procures organic by-products from Novo Nordisk and Novozymes' insulin and enzyme production. These by-products consist of yeast cells and biomass fra biotech production, the medium in which insulin and enzyme is cultivated. Once the fermentation process concludes and the insulin and enzyme are extracted, this residual 'yeast cream' is thermally treated for safe reuse. This transforms it into biogas, which is upgraded for the gas network, and into high-quality fertilizer for local agriculture. Annually, Bigadan processes about 300,000 tons of biomass from Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.
From the factories to the farmers
The journey from managing and bio-digesting Novo Nordisk and Novozymes' organic residuals to converting yeast cream and biomass fra biotech production into a farmer's field fertilizer epitomizes the close-knit collaboration between Bigadan, Novo Nordisk, and local farmers.
In addition to the 300,000 tons of yeast cream and biomass fra biotech production handled by Bigadan yearly, approximately 50,000 tons of other biomass, including animal glycerin, are incorporated. Collectively, they capitalize on the equivalent of 30 million cubic meters of gas and fertilizer for 10,000 hectares of land.
Overcoming the challenges
Back in 2015, Bigadan tested the gas potential of fermentation residues (yeast cream and biomass fra biotech production) from Novo Nordisk and Novozymes at a biogas pilot facility. Handling yeast cream presented challenges due to its cumbersome nature and strict safety requirements. However, the results were promising, leading to the construction of a full-scale biogas plant and the establishment of a distribution channel for the fertilizer component.
This recycling of the by-product has notably resulted in a series of fertilizer products. The value of reusing this residue lies particularly in its nutrient content and plant availability, superior to standard livestock manure
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