Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group launches VORN Bioenergy

A specialist European biomethane platform backed by Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group (GIG) has today provided an update on its progress and relaunched its operations under a new brand.

Following GIG’s acquisition of BayWa r.e. Bioenergy GmbH via the Macquarie Green Investment Group Energy Transition Solutions fund 100 days ago, the company has announced it will begin operating from today as VORN Bioenergy (VORN).

Active across the full asset lifecycle, VORN develops, constructs and operates biomethane projects which provide biomethane and power to local energy companies, industrial companies and energy traders. The business’ current portfolio comprises five operational plants in Germany, which produce approximately 140 GWh of biomethane annually, helping to avoid 13.16 ktCO₂e of GHG emissions every year^[1]. This is the equivalent to removing over 4,000 petrol cars from the road for the duration of the projects^[2].

With GIG’s support and oversight, VORN has continued to progress and expand its development pipeline. Recently it secured the environmental permit for its first project in Italy which will be developed with local partner Alvus. Construction of the 1,000 sm3/hr project in Ferrara is expected to commence in 2023, with a further nine projects currently at various stages of development across the country.

VORN has begun exploring opportunities in emerging growth markets including Spain, where it has established a new partnership with Greenar to take forward greenfield development projects. To realise its growth ambitions, VORN will continue to partner with local developers across Spain and other jurisdictions in Europe.

VORN is integrating new technology processes to enhance its operational assets across Germany, including introducing carbon capture and liquefaction technology to create food-grade quality CO₂ across some of its sites. VORN is actively exploring these new technologies at its existing assets at Brandis and Horn which will further contribute to the low carbon credentials of the biomethane sector.

Since GIG’s acquisition, the VORN team has also grown, with a substantial increase in headcount and ongoing recruitment programme with additional roles remaining open for application.

“Our business has been at the forefront of Europe’s biogas market for over a decade, and it’s exciting to start this next phase of growth with a brand that reflects our continued commitment to leadership. With the Green Investment Group’s support, in just 100 days, we’ve progressed new projects, new partnerships and even expanded into new markets, all while delivering the same level of quality service for our existing customers. I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of our development will bring.”

Christian Bracklow
Co-Managing Director of VORN

“As corporates and governments look to the next phase of deep decarbonisation, we are seeing huge appetite for access to green gases and alternative fuels. Biomethane production, in particular, is set for significant expansion. The VORN team have been pioneers of this industry for many years now and bring immense technical expertise. We are pleased to be working with them as they grow the platform and help deliver Europe’s decarbonisation ambitions.”

Chris Archer
Co-Head of the Green Investment Group in Europe, Middle East and Africa

The new VORN brand reflects the company’s history leading the market and its growth ambitions in the European biomethane sector, having previously launched Europe’s first biomethane plant in 2006. The brand also identifies strongly with the circular economy and the key role biomethane assets will play, not only in decarbonising natural gas use, but also in creating a closed loop in the agricultural sector from waste generation to land fertilisation.

GIG’s investment in VORN comes as the European Union seeks to rapidly reduce its dependency on imported natural gas, and as corporate and industrial customers look for decarbonisation solutions. Biomethane has been demonstrated to be an attractive solution offering a direct alternative to natural gas, while simultaneously helping to treat agricultural waste. The European Commission’s recently launched REPowerEU agenda details several goals, including a target to produce 35 billion cubic metres (roughly 350 TWh) of biomethane by 2030. Meeting this goal is expected to require the construction of 5,000 new biomethane plants across the EU and approximately €80 billion in capital investment.

[1]GHG emissions avoidance provided by Green Investment Group were calculated using country specific Harmonized IFI Grid Factors

[2]Petrol cars off the road equivalents statement provided by Green Investment Group calculated using UK Government conversion factors