Design, operation and sale of biological treatment plants

Solum Gruppen designs, runs and sells biological treatment plants.

Solum Gruppen has developed and established a new biogas and composting plant for anaerobic digesting and composting organic waste. The plant has been running smoothly since start-up Spring 2003. The plant has the capacity to handle 25,000 tonnes per year.

In May, Solum Gruppen successfully tendered the first export contract for a combined biogas and composting plant for a range of Norwegian municipalities. The contract, which not only covers the construction of the plant but also its operation for the next 7 years, has a total economic value of DKK 200 million. The construction of the plant alone will cost DKK 35 million. Solum Gruppen won the contract over four other international companies.

Each year, the plant will be able to treat 30,000 tonnes of green household waste from the inhabitants of the 49 municipalities. From this, heat and electricity will predominantly be produced. This production will constitute a substantial proportion of the total energy needs of the near-by town of Elverum, which has 4,000 inhabitants. In addition, the 30,000 tonnes of green waste will be converted into 15,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich compost, which is particularly well suited as a soil improver for use in agriculture and market gardening.

Solum Gruppen was awarded the Rendan Prize in 2003 for this system.