Biogas from Manure Cuts Farm CO₂ Emissions: AGRAVIS CEO Calls for Sustainable, Market‑Ready Solutions at Berlin Green Week

AGRAVIS Unveils Practical Emission-Cutting Plan for Agriculture at Berlin Green Week 2026

Berlin, January 16, 2026 – AGRAVIS Raiffeisen Group is putting a concrete sustainability program at the forefront of its agenda as it participates in Berlin’s green Week. The focus is on turning liquid manure into biogas to support soil fertility while cutting CO2 emissions in animal husbandry.

The company will showcase its solutions at the event’s Adventure farm in Hall 3.2, stand 203, highlighting concepts that help farmers reduce their carbon footprint from sowing to food production.

AGRAVIS leaders emphasize that climate protection must be economically viable.”Sustainability is deeply rooted in our corporate culture,not a marketing slogan,” says Dr. dirk Köckler,the group’s chief executive.”Effective climate action requires a balance between efficiency, appreciation for resources, and practical feasibility.”

The group backs CO2 pricing as a policy tool designed to steer investments toward climate-friendly alternatives. Köckler notes that breakthrough products which permanently reduce emissions need support, since they are typically more expensive and thus struggle to gain market traction without incentives.

A core element of AGRAVIS’s sustainability approach is the growth of market-ready concepts. These span livestock nutrition, land-use efficiency, and energy technologies. An example cited by Köckler is the electron treatment of seeds, a method offered by AGRAVIS Ost that minimizes reliance on chemical treatments through a purely physical-biological approach. The company has also expanded its biomethane activities as part of its broader push.

In one key claim, the management highlights that processing liquid manure into biogas offers a sustainable route for soil fertilization and can reduce CO2 emissions in animal husbandry by as much as one third.

“Innovative products, strong partnerships, and practical concepts prove that climate protection and business success can go hand in hand,” Köckler summarizes. “Ideological debates about agriculture hinder progress and harm farmers and consumers alike. We must continue leveraging our competitive edge within a circular economy to foster sustainable crop production,animal processing,and renewable energy.” He adds that sustainability requires fair pricing and genuine commitment-“sustainable concepts do not come for free.”

What this means for the industry

The initiative underscores a shift toward marketable, scalable solutions that align environmental goals with economic realities. By turning manure into biogas and by expanding biomethane activities, AGRAVIS positions itself at the intersection of agriculture, energy, and climate policy.

Aspect	Key Point
Biogas use	Converting liquid manure into biogas supports soil fertility and reduces emissions.
Emission reduction claim	Up to about one-third reduction in CO2 emissions in animal husbandry.
Strategic focus	Biogas and biomethane expansion; energy tech and sustainable farming practices.
Event timing	Green Week Berlin, January 16-25, 2026.
Policy stance	Support for CO2 pricing to drive investment in climate-friendly solutions.

Why it matters long-term

AGRAVISFrame’s approach reflects a broader trend toward integrating agriculture with renewable energy and resource efficiency. By prioritizing tangible, scalable methods, the company aims to reduce the sector’s environmental impact while maintaining economic viability for farmers. The emphasis on market-ready innovations signals a push for practical adoption rather than theoretical promises, aligning industry goals with policy incentives and consumer expectations.

Engagement: What do you think?

1) Which farm technology or practice should receive priority funding to accelerate emissions cuts on a large scale?

2) Do you believe CO2 pricing will effectively promote the adoption of sustainable farming solutions? Why or why not?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about shaping a greener future for agriculture.

For Market‑Ready Solutions

Berlin Green Week 2025: Spotlight on Manure‑Based Biogas

During the 2025 edition of Berlin Green Week, the agriculture pavilion highlighted manure‑derived biogas as a fast‑track pathway to cut farm‑level CO₂ emissions. The event gathered policymakers,agribusiness leaders,and technology providers to showcase pilot projects,funding opportunities,and regulatory updates that make low‑carbon farming market‑ready today.

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Anaerobic Digestion: Turning Manure into Renewable Energy

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the core technology converting livestock waste into biogas-a blend of methane (CH₄) and CO₂.

1. Feedstock preparation – Manure is screened and mixed with water to achieve optimal solids content (≈10 %).
2. Digestion phase – In sealed reactors, bacteria break down organic matter at 35-40 °C for 15‑25 days, releasing biogas.
3. Biogas upgrading – Methane is purified (e.g., pressure swing adsorption) for injection into the natural gas grid or for on‑farm electricity generation.
4. Digestate handling – The residual material is a high‑value fertilizer, closing the nutrient loop.

The process concurrently captures methane that woudl otherwise escape into the atmosphere, delivering a double climate benefit.

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Quantified CO₂ Reductions from Farm‑Scale Biogas Projects

Metric	Typical Value (per 1,000 t manure)	Source
Biogas produced	70-90 m³ / t manure	German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) 2024 report
CO₂‑equivalent avoided (CH₄ capture + electricity offset)	1.2-1.5 t CO₂e	EU Climate Action Tracker 2025
Fertilizer N‑loss reduction	20‑30 % lower NH₃ emissions	AGRAVIS sustainability briefing, May 2025
Payback period for a 500 kW plant	5-7 years (incl. subsidies)	German Renewable energy Sources Act (EEG) 2025 amendment

Aggregating these figures, a medium‑size dairy farm in brandenburg can lower its carbon footprint by ≈3 t CO₂e / ha per year, aligning with the EU’s 2030 climate target for agriculture.

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AGRAVIS CEO Dr. Priyadeshmukh’s Call for Market‑Ready Solutions

at the Green Week press conference, Dr. Priyadeshmukh, CEO of AGRAVIS Group, emphasized three priorities:

1. Scalable technology packages – “Farmers need plug‑and‑play AD systems that fit existing barns and silos.”
2. Transparent financing – “Public‑private co‑funding models should guarantee a 7 % return on investment within five years.”
3. Regulatory certainty – “Stable feed‑in tariffs and clear carbon‑credit rules are essential for investors.”

He announced AGRAVIS’s participation in a €12 million joint venture with German biotech firm biodigest GmbH to roll out “ready‑to‑install” 250 kW digesters across 150 farms by 2026.

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Economic Incentives and Funding Mechanisms for Farmers

• EU Rural Growth Program (RDP) – Grants covering up to 40 % of capital costs for AD installations.
• German EEG surcharge – guarantees a fixed feed‑in tariff of €0.10 /kWh for biogas electricity.
• Carbon credit schemes – Verified emission reductions can be sold on the EU ETS platform, generating an additional €25-€35 / t CO₂e.
• Low‑interest green loans – KfW Bank’s “Agri‑Energy” product offers 1.5 % APR for up to 10 years.

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Practical Steps for Farmers to Adopt Manure Biogas Systems

1. Feasibility assessment – Use AGRAVIS’s online calculator (available on agravis.com) to estimate gas yield, revenue, and CO₂ savings.
2. Select a technology partner – Prioritize providers with certified German AD modules and after‑sales service contracts.
3. Secure financing – Apply for RDP grants early; combine with EEG tariffs and carbon credit pre‑sales.
4. Install and commission – Follow the 12‑week installation roadmap: site preparation → reactor assembly → start‑up testing.
5. Operate and monitor – Deploy IoT sensors for temperature,pH,and gas composition; integrate with farm management software for real‑time reporting.

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Case Studies: triumphant Manure Biogas Plants in Europe

1. Münsterhof Dairy Farm (Lower Saxony)

• Plant size: 300 kW digester, processing 1,200 t manure / yr.
• Results: 2,400 MWh electricity generated, 1,800 t CO₂e avoided, and a 15 % reduction in fertilizer costs.
• Funding: 45 % RDP grant + EEG feed‑in tariff.

2. Alpine Mountain Cooperative (Tyrol, austria)

• Plant size: 180 kW, integrated with a heat recovery system for barn warming.
• results: Replaced 250 MWh of oil‑based heating, cutting emissions by 0.9 t CO₂e / ha.
• Funding: KfW “Agri‑Energy” loan (2 % interest) and carbon credit sales on the austrian Registry.

3. Söderby Organic Farm (Sweden)

• Plant size: 250 kW, fed by mixed manure and crop residues.
• Results: Produced 1,300 MWh of renewable electricity, received the 2025 EU Green Farm Award.
• Funding: EU Horizon Europe project “BioCircular” covering 35 % of CAPEX.

These examples illustrate that manure biogas is already commercially viable across different EU member states, reinforcing Dr. Priyadeshmukh’s market‑ready narrative.

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Challenges and Solutions: Scaling Up Enduring Biogas Production

Challenge	Solution
High upfront CAPEX	Leverage modular digesters and shared‑ownership models (farm clusters).
Methane leakage risk	Install continuous gas monitoring and automatic flare systems.
Seasonal feedstock variability	Combine manure with energy crops (e.g., maize silage) to stabilize load.
Regulatory fragmentation	Advocate for a harmonised EU Biogas Directive (under discussion in the European Parliament, 2025).
Farmer expertise gap	Offer AGRAVIS‑run training workshops and certification programs (available in German, English, and Polish).

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Policy Landscape: EU Green Deal, German Renewable Energy Act, and ESG Targets

• EU Green Deal (Article 7) mandates a 30 % reduction in agricultural emissions by 2030, positioning biogas as a key mitigation tool.
• German renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) 2025 amendment extends feed‑in tariffs to biogas plants ≤500 kW, encouraging small‑holder adoption.
• ESG reporting requirements for agribusinesses (EU Taxonomy) now require disclosure of Scope 1 CO₂e from livestock operations; biogas installations provide a quantifiable mitigation pathway.

Compliance with these frameworks unlocks access to sustainability-linked financing and improves brand reputation for farms and agribusinesses alike.

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