In our innovative biorefineries in Europe, Asia and North America we produce climate-friendly biofuels for green mobility from sustainably produced biomass. With biodiesel, bioethanol, and biomethane (as BioCNG and BioLNG), the product range includes both conventional first-generation biofuels and advanced second-generation biofuels based exclusively on residual materials. Verbio’s biofuels achieve a CO2 reduction of up to 90% compared to gasoline or diesel.
Biomethane is a multi-talented renewable energy source. It can be used for electricity generation, heat production, or as a fuel in the mobility sector. Biomethane can be obtained from various agricultural raw materials and residues. In particular, the use of residual materials such as liquid manure, dung, biowaste, and straw makes biomethane a sustainable advanced renewable energy source.
As a second-generation fuel, Verbio produces biomethane exclusively from stillage, a residual material from bioethanol production, and from straw. By-products of biomethane production are humus and liquid fertilizer, which are returned to agriculture. This is how Verbio closes the green cycle.
After fermentation of the biomass, the raw biogas is conditioned to natural gas quality and fed into the natural gas grid. Natural gas and biomethane have the same chemical composition and can therefore be mixed without any technical restrictions.Furthermore, the biomethane can be liquefied in a further production step under high pressure and low temperature.
The gaseous biomethane is transported via the natural gas grid to filling stations, where it is offered as BioCNG. Liquefied biomethane is transported to filling stations as BioLNG by tanker trucks."
Biomethane is currently the most efficient and sustainable biofuel available, achieving up to a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions and offering fuel cost savings compared to fossil gasoline and diesel.
We offer our biomethane as BioCNG (gaseous) and BioLNG (liquefied biomethane), primarily for heavy-duty truck transport. City buses, cabs, and municipal refuse collection vehicles can also run on biomethane, offering a climate-friendly and cost-efficient alternative. In Germany, BioCNG and BioLNG from Verbio are available at more than 30 Verbio filling and partner stations. In doing so, we drive the decarbonization of heavy-duty truck freight transport."
CNG trucks are powered by either compressed fossil natural gas or renewable biomethane (BioCNG). The fuel is compressed to 220 bar and supplied at gas stations. The range with a full tank is approximately 750 km. CNG powertrain systems are especially well suited for short- and medium-haul heavy-duty transportation, as well as for delivery and distribution services.
LNG trucks are powered by liquefied natural gas or biomethane (BioLNG). The fuel is frozen (minus 162 °C) and pumped into specially insulated tanks. Liquefaction reduces the volume of the gas allowing for larger tank capacity. This enables ranges of between 1,000 and 1,600 km between two refueling stops. This is why the LNG powertrain systems are preferred for use on long-distance routes in freight transport.
A switch to BioCNG/BioLNG-powered trucks and the use of biomethane as a fuel offers transport companies cost advantages over diesel operation, and a greener footprint. Further information can be found at www.verbiogas.de.
Verbio is also gradually converting its own vehicle fleet to low-emission technology; almost all of the approximately 150 trucks of our subsidiary VERBIO Logistik GmbH are now powered by biomethane from raw and residual materials.
Biodiesel from Verbio
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils. At Verbio, we primarily use rapeseed oil from sustainable production. The rapeseed oil is processed into biodiesel by transesterification. Verbio's technology also allows the esterification of fatty acids that are produced as residues or waste during biodiesel production and vegetable oil refining.
The main customers for biodiesel are mineral oil companies, which add up to 7 percent biodiesel (B7) to their diesel. Biodiesel can also be used as a pure fuel (B100) by transport companies and agriculture. Verbio's biodiesel reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 70%.
Crude glycerin is generated as a co-product in biodiesel production, and at Verbio we process crude glycerin into high-quality glycerine for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
At its Bitterfeld site, Verbio also extracts phytosterols from the rapeseed oil used in biodiesel production. Phytosterols have cholesterol-lowering properties and are therefore used in the food industry. In addition, they are utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of hormone preparations. Their moisturizing properties make them attractive for further processing in the cosmetics industry. Verbio’s new bio-based chemicals production will also be based on Biodiesel (rapeseed methyl ester). These green molecules can be used in surfactants, lubricants and polymers. Verbio is thus supporting the transition from fossil to renewable raw materials in the chemical industry.
Verbio bioethanol is produced from grain and corn sourced from regional agriculture. At our Verbio biorefinery, we utilize the whole plant; ethanol is produced from the grain, while biomethane and fertilizer are made from the residue stillage and straw. This integrated approach maximizes the energy yield per hectare of agricultural land, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
In chemical terms, bioethanol is an alcohol that is produced by fermenting raw materials containing sugar and starch. Using alcohol as a vehicle fuel is not a new idea. As early as 1860, Nikolaus August Otto used ethanol as a fuel in the prototypes of his internal combustion engine. In Germany the fuel types E10, containing up to 10 percent bioethanol, and E5, with a 5 percent admixture of bioethanol, are available at filling stations.
Bioethanol from Verbio saves around 80% CO₂ compared to gasoline. Alcohol-free mash, known as stillage, is continuously obtained during the bioethanol production process. It still contains valuable cereals and valuable protein, and it is therefore used as animal feed in livestock farming.
In our Verbio biorefineries, we process a large proportion of the stillage produced in the ethanol process into biomethane and fertilizer. This enables us to make multiple use of the sustainable biomass used.
Verbio has developed a technology to expand its production process and extract additional high-quality proteins from the mash for future use in animal feed and foodstuffs.