Spain-headed gas refueling technology developer, distributor, and service provider HAM Group, its subsidiary HAM Chile, in partnership with Empresas Lipigas (Lipigas), has inaugurated its first liquefied biomethane (bioLNG) plant in South America.
Located in the Ñuble region, Chile, this milestone facility will enable the upgrading and liquefaction of biogas to bioLNG, which will then be supplied to Chilean transport companies and industries by Lipigas.
Empresas Lipigas is a leading company in the distribution and commercialization of energy solutions, with operations in Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Modular design
The new plant stands out for its modular, containerized “plug & play” design, made up of six independent, easily interconnected modules: three dedicated to biogas treatment – cleaning, upgrading, and liquefaction – and three providing auxiliary services such as water and dry air supply.
Thanks to this configuration, the facility was installed and commissioned in a reduced timeframe.
The bioLNG is obtained from biogas generated in an anaerobic co-digestion plant that processes organic waste from the pork industry.
The fully automated and remotely managed system will, in its first phase, have a processing capacity of 7,500 m3/day of raw biogas, to reach 16,500 m3/day at full operation.
The bioLNG will serve as a fuel for Lipigas’ service stations, supplying the truck fleets that travel across Chile, thereby helping to decarbonize the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) transport sector.
Commitment to the circular economy
According to HAM Group, this project reinforces its commitment to decarbonization and sustainability in the transport and industrial sectors, delivering clean energy solutions and promoting the circular economy by valorizing organic waste, stimulating the local economy, creating jobs in rural areas, and returning nutrients to the soil, while also providing a sustainable alternative to incineration or landfill disposal.
The Ñuble plant joins other operational HAM Group projects in Girona, Spain, and
Faenza, Italy, thereby consolidating the company’s international position in bioLNG and expanding its presence in Latin America with new undisclosed initiatives already underway.
