Our History
A Wealth of 30 Years Focus on R&D and its Biogas Applications - Our Engineering Experience
1990
The history of WABIO starts with WABIO Technologie (Tech) GmbH through the R&D for Biogas and anaerobic digestion research in East Germany initiated and coordinated by Dr. Auerbach.
1993
After the Berlin Wall fell, WABIO Tech. is founded in Neukirchen, Germany. Research & Development processes start immediately.
1994
First patent application for the biotechnological usage of lignocellulosic substrates for the fuel production.
1995
WABIO Tech designs and builds the first biological municipal waste disposal, a pilot project for a community in the state of Bavaria, Himmelkron, Germany. The 1MW electricity (el) biogas plant still runs at 99% yield.
1996
Designs and builds a second pilot biogas plant of a capacity of 0.6MWel for biological municipal solid community waste in Roding, Germany.
1997
Installs the company-owned plant in Neukirchen (1MWel.) as operating and industrial test facility.
2004-2008
Develops a line of 20 plants for a public utility provider.
Develops meat and fish waste disposal solutions for Poland according to the European Union regulations.
2006-2007
The world’s first combined fully energy-autonomous bioethanol/biogas Bio-refinery 4MWel. starts up after 9 months construction time. WABIO Tech. operates the plant for 2.5 years before its sale.
2007-2010
Integrates biogas project development (beer, ethanol and food wastes).
2010
WABIO Tech. operations expands into Asia, to meet a growing demand for green energy. Signs first contract in Malaysia and Indonesia, with a mill.
2012
Designs the smallest biogas unit of 500KW biogas power plant. Develops projects in Singapore, Philippines, China.
2013
Constructs the first plant for the palm oil industry in East Kalimantan,Indonesia.
2014
Commissions the first plant in Kalimantan, Indonesia for a palm waste estate. Signs first contract in China.
2016
Retrofits a standard biogas plant to upgrade for the use of straw and lignocellulosic material. The new biogas plant capacity is 4.5MWel. Exclusive distribution agreement with Kaltimex Energy 2015. First projects in UK for wood waste and Germany for the unique “Retrofit” solution.
2017
Constructs the world’s biggest biogas plant of a capacity of 30MWth, utilizing only corn and rice straw waste. New contract in China for corn straw. Predevelopment of a Danish chicken waste project.
2018
Development of a new Chinese project.
2019 – 2021
Designs a biogas to grid of a 4.8 MW el. plant in Germany.
Designs, supervises construction, and commissions a 2.4 MWel plant using sugar mill waste and the waste of meat processing industry for animal food in Serbia. Creates WABIO Investment Holding in Hong Kong.
2022
Builds the first electricity biogas plant (2.4MWel) only from fermentation residue of an existing biogas plant in Northern Serbia.
2021 -2024
WABIO Investment Holding is Founded in Oct. 2021; subsequently develops its project portfolio.
FAQ's
Get answers to common questions about renewable energy from biogas. Learn how Wabio’s solutions transform organic waste into clean energy, supporting a sustainable future.
General FAQs
WABIO Technologie GmbH is a Germany-based provider of unique technology of converting various forms of organic waste into high yields of biogas in a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) business model. Its technology is used in 8 projects realized in Europe and Asia. WABIO Investment Holding Ltd. is a Hong-Kong based company working exclusively with WABIO Technologie GmbH in a view to own its biogas plant assets.
WABIO’s role has evolved from a technology licensor to include solutions consultancy. We can be as involved or more hands off depending on the need. We provide services for third party power plants. Our services range from construction to operation, including project development, turn-key service provision, engineering & solution design, operations, maintenance, sourcing feedstock, and even negotiating offtake agreements.
WABIO has been tried and tested for over 30 years. As a leader in biogas, our research pioneered the biogas anaerobic fermentation process. Dr. Jochen Auerbach brings deep knowledge of the field from a 20-year career at the Institute for Bio Fermentation in Leipzig.
Our extensive knowledge and expertise developing highly efficient bacteria for anaerobic fermentation, together with our constant innovation of biogas production and management processes have led to over 20 registered patents and 10 power plants actively using WABIO technology.
WABIO’s leadership team is at the forefront of the biogas industry. They continue to improve technically and geographically with an extensive list of design, construction or retrofit projects for third parties looking to gain access to renewable energy.
WABIO can process over 200 types of organic waste. The main categories we work with include food processing waste from meat and fish factories, spent grain from breweries and distilleries, waste from agriculture and livestock, municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge. We’re yet to meet organic waste that we can’t efficiently turn into large quantities of biogas.
WABIO Retrofit uses groundbreaking engineering and solution designs to transform power plants into green energy powerhouses. The plant size is never a question. With WABIO technology, we can build very small or big intelligent plants using what’s already there. We can replace fossil fuel plants or optimise refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plants to deliver twice as much green energy. Our biogas can be fed directly to the power grid.
WABIO produces biogas, a clean renewable energy. Energy, whether in the form of electricity, heat, transport or industrial processes, account for the majority – 76% – of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. WABIO reduces climate change impacts through its waste conversion technologies that capture the methane that would otherwise be released in the atmosphere, and puts it to work. Biogas primarily consist of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The combustion of methane produces Carbon dioxide, avoiding the 20 times more harmful methane emissions. By utilising the renewable methane, we change it to climate neutral green CO2 emissions.
WABIO’s processes channels value back up though the value chain, achieving sustainability in a circular economy. 100% of WABIO plants use self-generated biogas energy to function.
In addition, no waste water emissions are discharged at all from a WABIO power plant. If so in some cases, the water is treated and cleaned to EU waste water standards, clean enough to put in reverse without any harm.
Lastly, WABIO supports regenerative agriculture by producing organic fertiliser as a by-product of bacterial waste digestion.
18 months from conception to the start of the plant production. Then 72 hours to digest and produce methane.
Investor FAQs
WABIO proves that novel integrated systems incorporating state of the art technologies in biogas and optimised processes can generate a negative emission technology system. In simple terms, we turn trash into treasure. WABIO power plants are highly carbon negative, generating carbon credits. Carbon credits will likely become a highly sought-after commodity and a major source of revenue.
WABIO’s leadership team has constantly innovated and optimised the business model ensuring growth and profitability. Its key technological edge, optimised processes and land use result in flexible deployment of power projects. The company has created solid partnerships that allow it to scale operations where needed. Wherever there is organic waste, energy output is guaranteed by WABIO. We offer a high ROI, estimated at a 4-to-5-year payback period excluding construction.
Top 6 controversies regarding biogas
Biogas qualifies as a renewable energy source, but its production process can impact the environment. The main concern is the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during the anaerobic digestion process. If not properly managed, methane leaks can occur, contributing to climate change. Additionally, the transportation of organic waste to biogas plants can lead to increased traffic and associated environmental impacts.
WABIO’s Answer: As the WABIO page explains it, WABIO plants are carbon neutral and should therefore have no problem. Maybe WABIO could still reassure that its process has never allowed methane leaks or similar.
Biogas plants usually require substantial land area to accommodate the organic waste storage, anaerobic digestion tanks, and other infrastructure. Locating these plants near residential areas or in scenic landscapes can raise concerns about the visual and odorous impact as well as land use conflicts.
WABIO’s Answer: While the debate around plant aesthetics and odour may not be won, WABIO plants have one of the least land usages in the industry, as the WABIO page explains it. Therefore, even if landscapes are visually disrupted, WABIO plants minimizes this disruption due to their small and efficient design.
Many officials (even in the German government) are under the assumption that biogas plants need fodder that must be grown on fields. This planted fodder in turn poses a competition to general food and animal feed production. 1,2
WABIO’s Answer: WABIO needs to emphasise that they turn waste into energy, which is a side product of agriculture anyways and that their Biogas does not compete with it for land usage. Maybe even make a commitment to only use waste ever.
Sources: 1: Euractiv, 2: The Guardian
Biogas plants rely on a consistent supply of organic waste materials, such as agricultural residues, food waste, or manure. Concerns may arise if the sourcing of organic waste involves unsustainable agricultural practices or long-distance transportation, which can negate some of the environmental benefits.
WABIO’s Answer: WABIO needs to emphasise that they turn local waste into energy and that supply distances are considered and accounted for in their carbon crediting calculations.
Biogas plants involve the handling and processing of potentially hazardous organic materials, such as sewage or industrial waste. If not managed properly, there could be risks associated with the release of harmful pathogens, toxic gases, or accidents related to the operation and maintenance of the plant.
WABIO’s Answer: WABIO needs to emphasise that they operate their plant according to the highest industrial safety standards and that there is no need for concerns. Transparency is key here.
Biogas plants collaborating with monocultures for biogas production can perpetuate the dominance of monoculture farming systems. Monocultures are already associated with several environmental and social issues, offering them a green energy source can indirectly help them with painting a green image over their problematic business practices.
WABIO’s Answer: WABIO believes that having an impact wherever possible is vital. Although some input suppliers may have unsustainable business models, WABIO is sure that they will undergo a green transition before long as otherwise, due to their unsustainable practices, they would go out of business as they’d destroy their land.
