Stercore Holding is allowed to build a manure gasification plant in Emmen on Kapitein Antiferstraat, on the Getec site. The Council of State has determined this. Milieudefensie Westerveld wanted to stop the construction of the drying and gasification plant. The nitrogen calculations would be incorrect. But the judge does not agree with this and so the installation can still be built.
Stercore had actually wanted to start construction in 2020, but this was postponed due to a long legal process. Now it may happen, about three years later.
The manure gasifier must then adhere to certain rules. For example, it may not emit more than 57 kilograms of nitrogen per year. Employees must monitor this by recording emissions every three months, then every six months. The manure must also be ‘well dried’.
In the manure gasifier – not to be confused with a manure digester – dry manure is converted into carbon at high temperatures. After treatment, it can be used as a fertilizer substitute and soil improver. Green gas is also released, which can be used in the home as a replacement for natural gas. Stercore could supply approximately 21,000 homes with the collected gas.