In the innovation alliance biogeniV, TU Bergakademie Freiberg is working with partners to research a new process for converting regionally available residual materials, such as fermentation residues from biogas plants, into green chemicals based on methanol. Two new research projects have been launched as part of the "WIR! - Innovation and Structural Change" programme with funding approval from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space: the "Residue drying" project and the "Residue gasification" project. The innovation alliance biogeniV is coordinated by the Hanseatic city of Anklam.
The challenge: Fermentation residues consist of more than 90% water and contain a large amount of organic carbon. They are currently transported over long distances - which causes high costs and CO2 emissions. The project consortium of the "Residue drying" project led by the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ), together with the Cosun Beet Company and the biogas experts from mele Energietechnink, is therefore developing processes for the energy-efficient dewatering, drying and compaction of fermentation residues into high-quality compactates. Compactates are mechanically compacted solids, pellets, i.e. uniformly shaped, cylindrical particles that are produced from fine-grained material by a pellet press.
Other regional residues such as landscaping material, road side wood or other industrial waste streams could be added. "We assume that the combination of fermentation residues and other biogenic residues is well suited to producing high-quality pellets with defined properties," explains Dr Claudia Kirsten, head of the Mechanical Refinement Processes working group at the DBFZ.
What are the compressed residues used for?
This question is being researched by the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Stralsund University of Applied Sciences and the Cosun Beet Company in the "Gasification of residues" project. The practical implementation of gasification is taking place at the Institute for Energy and Chemical Plants (IEC) at TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF): "The decisive process step takes place in our pilot plants at the IEC in Freiberg, namely the conversion of the regionally available residual materials into a synthesis gas. This gas is then used by the project partners at Stralsund University of Applied Sciences to produce sustainable, green methanol, which has a high application potential in numerous sectors such as shipping, aviation, road transport and even the chemical industry," says TUBAF Professor Martin Gräbner.
By coupling these processes from liquid residue to green methanol, the aim is to find an optimal utilisation of energy and material flows - including the integration of waste heat and green hydrogen. To ensure that there are no conflicts of interest when using these materials, the partners in the parallel biogeniV project "AnkER - Anklamer EnergieRegion" are analysing the regional framework conditions, the availability of residual materials and developing suitable solutions and business models.
Background: Regional added value thanks to green methanol
Green methanol is seen as a promising fuel of the future, especially for shipping. Western Pomerania is characterised by its proximity to the Baltic Sea and many inland shipping routes. In another biogeniV project, a methanol-powered tractor will soon be developed - with the aim of using the green fuel directly in Western Pomerania. Moreover, methanol is already one of the most traded chemicals in the world - but so far almost exclusively from fossil sources. Several initiatives for the production of green methanol are currently being developed in Western Pomerania. The region could therefore develop into a model region for new, sustainable value chains based on green methanol.
The kick-off meetings for both projects have already taken place and mark the beginning of an intensive, three-year research and development phase. The "Residue drying" project, with funding of just under €514,000, received its grant on 1 August 2025, while the closely linked "Residue gasification" project, with funding of just under €1,300,000, received its grant on 1 September 2025.
