Sanimax, StormFisher to build eight biogas plants

Web exclusive posted Oct. 9, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. CST

With plans to invest over $160 million, Qu�bec, Canada-based Sanimax and Ontario�based StormFisher Biogas have announced a joint venture to construct eight biogas plants in the Midwest region of the United States. The facilities will be built over a period of time which has not yet been determined.

Created in 2005 from the merging of three large industry players-Wisconsin-based Anamax along with Canada-based Sanimal Inc. and Bi-Pro Marketing Ltd., -Sanimax annually collects more than a million tons of animal and food byproducts, vegetable oils, hides and skins, which are transformed into useable products for a variety of industries, including feed companies, chemical manufacturers, tanneries, soap producers and pet food manufacturers.

StormFisher Biogas, a renewable energy company that builds, owns and operates biogas plants across North America, works with the food processing and agricultural industries to process organic byproducts into electricity and natural gas. The company is developing 18 plants across North America in the next five years; the first three will go on line in Ontario in 2009. Each of the plants will process about 100,000 tons of organic byproducts annually and generate 2.6 megawatts, enough electricity to power approximately 2,600 homes.

Jeremy Goodfellow, Sanimax vice president of energy, said although few specific sites have been selected at this point, the initial plan is to focus on Sanimax's current territory, which includes the Great Lakes and upper Midwest regions.

The new biogas plants will process food byproducts from area facilities, such as schools and restaurants, to generate electricity and natural gas. Sanimax and StormFisher are currently pursing major food processing companies to source additional raw materials for the proposed plants.

Goodfellow said the positive environmental impact of the joint venture is significant. When all of the plants are operational, the companies estimate they will be capable of powering approximately 20,000 homes, and may offset the carbon dioxide equivalent of 120,000 tons.

"There are currently no confirmed construction dates," said Goodfellow. "Although we seek to have some plants operational by the end of 2009."

To learn more about Sanimax, visit www.sanimax.com. To learn more about StormFisher, visit www.Stormfisher.com.