Company and Project Overview

The Algae & Algae project develops renewable gas and by-products from regional agricultural residues and manures. Feedstocks are sourced locally within the project area to ensure secure supply and low logistics emissions. The company has secured 32 hectares in Mesagne (Brindisi, Puglia), where the SNAM gas pipeline traverses the property, enabling direct injection of upgraded biomethane.

Project Location

Project site in Mesagne (Brindisi), Puglia – Italy

• Site area: 32 hectares in Mesagne (Brindisi, South Italy)
• Grid connection: SNAM pipeline crossing the site (for biomethane injection)
• Feedstock basin: regional agricultural residues and manure

Technological Features

• High-solids anaerobic digestion with solids content in digesters of 12%.
• Liquid digestate treatment via nitrogen stripping and microfiltration.
• Biogas purification with membrane technology; biomethane injected directly into the SNAM grid.
• Separated CO₂ purified and liquefied to food grade for sale.
• Solid digestate composted in a Biomodil plant with a Witterer ammonia scrubber removing >95% of ammonia emissions.
• Post-composting drying and nutrient enrichment to produce organic fertilizer.
• Solar PV installed on composting building roofs to offset site power.
• Cogenerators using biogas to produce electricity and useful heat.

What This Enables

• Grid-quality biomethane with on-site SNAM connection.
• Multiple revenue streams: biomethane, food-grade liquid CO₂, organic fertilizer, and power/heat.
• Advanced emissions control (ammonia scrubber, optimized digestate treatment).
• Circular-economy valorization of agricultural residues.

Flagship Project – Puglia Biomethane Plant

The Algae & Algae flagship biomethane plant in Puglia represents one of the most advanced renewable gas projects in Southern Europe. Authorized by the Italian State in August 2024 after review by 38 departments, it stands as a benchmark in circular energy and sustainability.

• The project will be executed by an established engineering contractor with solid financial standing, providing guarantees that ensure on-time and on-budget completion.
• Revenues for Phase 1 (13 million Sm³/year) are guaranteed by the Italian State (backed by EU funding) for 15 years at a tariff of €1.27/Sm³, awarded by GSE on 30 October 2024. This eliminates market price risk for the initial operating period.
• Feedstock supply has been secured through contracts covering the first 5 years of operation, plus framework agreements with Italy’s two largest farmer cooperatives ensuring long-term supply at 125% of required demand.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage is in place, including operational risks.
• An Independent Technical Report (ITR) by BIT S.p.A. confirms the technical and commercial viability of the project.
• The project will produce organic digestate for conversion into high-quality organic fertilizer. Replacing chemical fertilizers saves 1 ton of oil, 108 tons of water, and 7 tons of CO₂ per ton substituted. This aligns with the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (FRP) of July 2022 promoting circular bio-based fertilizers.
• Liquefied CO₂ will be recovered and sold, neutralizing the carbon footprint and achieving a Carbon Index of −50 g CO₂ eq/MJ.
• A certified Sustainability Report confirms the project’s contribution to EU Green Deal goals and its GHG reduction of approximately 50,000 tons CO₂/year.

For reference:
https://www.gse.it/en
https://www.bit-spa.it/