AssoroBiometano
About this good practice
The management of agro-industrial by-products poses a significant challenge for many farms, especially in regions with intensive agricultural and livestock activities. AssoroBiometano addresses this issue by converting organic waste, such as poultry manure, citrus and tomato residues and olive pomace, into advanced biomethane for transport and digestate for organic fertilisation. The plant employs a 2-stage mesophilic anaerobic digestion process that maximises efficiency and safety in gas production. The biogas is upgraded to biomethane and injected into the grid or used locally. This private initiative, launched by three local farms, benefited from co-financing by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, covering 40% of the total 12 M€ investment. The project was also supported at the local level by the Municipality of Assoro and the Sicilian Region, which facilitated administrative processes, planning permissions, and infrastructure adaptation for the injection of biomethane into the local gas network. The plant produces 4.4M Sm³/year of biomethane (enough to fuel up to 3,000 vehicles) and avoids 8,500 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. Its biomethane is used by the public transport company of Catania for municipal fleets, enhancing the green public mobility strategy of the region. AssoroBiometano showcases how local partnerships, and targeted public support can turn environmental challenges into strategic opportunities for sustainable development and energy transition.
Resources needed
Total investment 12 million €. 60% construction of buildings; 40% machinery and technologies. Intervention of public sector is 40% of the total. 9 people involved in the management of plant (2 administrative sector; 7 management of plant). 2023 was spent 736.509 € for the management .
Evidence of success
Assoro Biometano facility produces 4,4 million Sm3/year of advanced biomethane from 74,500 tons per year of livestock effluents, agri-food by-products, including waste from citrus processing, olive pomace and tomato peelings. Potentially it is able to power almost 3K cars and save 3,4K tons of oil equivalent, avoiding the emission of 8,5 K tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The biomethane produced is sold to the Catania transports company, which uses it for public buses and municipal vehicles.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice demonstrates how public-private cooperation can foster regional circular economies and reduce emissions through renewable energy. With support from national and regional public funding, AssoroBiometano offers a replicable model for managing agricultural by-products and decarbonising local transport systems. Public authorities, especially at regional or municipal levels, can play a facilitating role by streamlining permitting, supporting infrastructure, and promoting the use of biomethane in public fleets. The initiative can inspire territorial clusters, cooperatives or producer associations to adopt similar models, lowering waste management costs while contributing to climate and energy goals. By embedding the circular bioeconomy in regional development strategies, this model aligns with EU Green Deal objectives and the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), supporting a just and sustainable energy transition in rural areas.
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