PATRIZIA has acquired an 80% majority stake in Italian bio-LNG producer Biomet through its European Infrastructure Fund II. The EUR 75 million deal, which comprises the equity stake and a committed capex program, marks the debut investment for PATRIZIA’s recently acquired infrastructure business, PATRIZIA Infrastructure.
Biomet will own Europe’s largest plant producing bio-LNG. It is currently developing two new, modern facilities that include a biomethane plant and an LNG liquefaction plant, which are both strategically located 40km south of Milan. It will be also the first plant in Italy that is directly connected to the SNAM national gas transportation network, with an on-site filling station. The facility will also be linked to key highways to intercept the waste flows from central to northern Italy, as well as feature four plants that produce biomethane by upgrading third-party biogas from agricultural feedstock.
PATRIZIA Infrastructure has invested in Biomet at a late-stage of construction, with the liquefaction facility expected to be commercially operational for summer 2022, the biogas plant for December 2022, and the four biomethane upgrading plants by 2024.
Biomet’s second-generation biogas and upgrading plant for biomethane production currently has capacity for 40,000 tons of organic waste each year, with the potential to increase this to 60,000 tons. The liquefaction facility has capacity for 8,800 tons of bio-LNG per year, with the potential to increase production to 26,400 tons.
“We are happy to announce our partnership with Biomet, which will play a crucial role in contributing to the decarbonization of transport in Italy. Biogas has a critical role to play in the energy transition as well as in supporting local agricultural communities,” said Matteo Andreoletti, Head of Infrastructure Equity, Europe and North America at PATRIZIA. “Not only does our investment in Biomet represent exceptional ESG credentials and opportunities for future growth for our clients, it also continues our long history of successfully partnering with regional infrastructure champions to make a positive impact in our communities. We continue to see excellent investment opportunities in sectors associated with the transition to a cleaner energy system.”
Biogas and bio-LNG are significant contributors to the EU’s policy objectives to reduce primary energy consumptions and CO2 emissions. Italy is the second largest market for biogas in the EU behind Germany, with 2 billion cubic meters being produced today. The fixed production costs of biogas make bio-LNG from waste a competitive and carbon-neutral alternative to conventional LNG, especially for the transport industry. The Italian government has recognized the importance of bio-LNG production with a robust incentive scheme with long-term commitment to sustain durable development of this technology.
“Italy has a shortfall of liquefaction plants, when at the same time demand for LNG and bio-LNG is increasing as the need for decarbonization continues. This is reflected in the regulatory framework and policy backdrop which is increasingly supportive of the need for increased biogas and sustainable fuel sources,” said Antonio Barani, CEO and Founder of Biomet. “Biomet has the ability to lead the way in this sector, being both optimally located and vertically integrated along the entire value chain – from biomethane production from waste, to upgrading, to liquefaction/bio-LNG production and sales at a nearby filling station. Our partnership with PATRIZIA Infrastructure is an important milestone, supporting us on our journey to positioning Biomet as a leading player in the Italian biogas market.”
