Biomethane from beer and whiskey industry residues
As biomethane production scales up across Europe, material choice is becoming a defining factor in plant reliability, efficiency and longevity. Stainless steel, with its corrosion resistance, hygiene benefits and long service life, is increasingly favoured for critical components in anaerobic digestion and gas upgrading facilities.
Text & images by Weltec
A clear example of this approach can be seen in a new large-scale biomethane project in Ireland, where German plant builder WELTEC BIOPOWER is deploying stainless-steel digestion technology to support robust, futureproof renewable gas production for Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises Ltd. The plant at the company’ s headquarters in Monasterevin, County Kildare, will go into operation in mid-2026 after a total construction period of 11 months. The location offers the operator logistical advantages, among other things:“ On the one hand, it is well connected to the M7 motorway. In addition, the national gas network for direct biomethane feed-in is in the immediate vicinity,” emphasises Patrick Meade, Managing Director of Evergreen. The stainless steel tanks are constructed in segments from stainless steel sheet metal panels. This allows for a precise fit and individual design of the tanks. Duplex stainless steel 1.4062 / 1.4162 is used in the liquid zone and 1.4462 in the gas zone. The Lean Duplex stainless steel has a low nickel content and high strength. This saves material and thus costs.
No competition with feed production The EUR 50 million project comprises four digesters and one stainless-steel secondary digester, each with a volume of 4,900 cubic metres. These are mainly used to ferment production residues and by-products from the Irish beer and whiskey industry. The materials are readily available and do not compete with feed production, as they are unsuitable for animal feed. Three additional tanks are used to store liquid substrates.“ Despite its size, the plant, with an annual processing capacity of 165,000 tonnes, will be built in just six months of pure construction time. Construction is proceeding according to plan and mechanical completion is scheduled for the end of this year,” says Tobias
44 Stainless Steel World April 2026 www. stainless-steel-world. net