Manure turns into biofuel for heavy-duty transport 23.6.2026 Lantakaasu’s biogas plant in Nurmo started operating in spring 2026. In the foreground is a gas-powered lorry used for transporting slurry. At Suomen Lantakaasu’s biogas plants, agricultural side streams, such as livestock manure and field biomass, are processed into biofuel for heavy-duty transport. The same process produces biofertilisers prized by farmers. As production grows, it is increasingly integrated into the broader gas market and infrastructure development. The agricultural sector produces many side streams that can be converted into biogas. At Suomen Lantakaasu’s biogas production plants, renewable fuels are produced from livestock manure. “We are developing industrial-scale production of biogas for use as, for example, a renewable fuel for heavy-duty transport, replacing fossil diesel,” Suomen Lantakaasu’s CEO Leena Helminen explains. The company’s aim is to build 5–7 biogas plants in Finland, located in areas with intensive livestock production. The first plant was inaugurated in spring 2026 in Nurmo, Southern Ostrobothnia. Initially, it will be able to process 240,000 tonnes of manure and produce 100 GWh of liquified biogas annually. This equals to around ten million litres of diesel. “We are already planning an investment in Nurmo that would double the current production capacity,” Helminen says. Production to start also in Nurmo and Kiuruvesi Suomen Lantakaasu’s second biogas plant will start operations in Kiuruvesi, Upper Savo. It will be the largest liquefied biogas facility in Finland, capable of annually processing some 460,000 of manure and field biomass collected from nearby farms. “The project also includes satellite plants to be built in Lapinlahti and Nurmes. These plants will produce compressed biogas to be transported to Kiuruvesi and will be completed in summer 2026,” Helminen says. These are significant investments for the communities dependent on agriculture. The investment in Kiuruvesi is valued at roughly EUR 80 million and in Nurmo at around EUR 60 million. The company is currently conducting a feasibility study concerning a biogas plant in the Kronoby and Pedersöre region in Ostrobothnia. CEO of Lantakaasu, Leena Helminen “The region has a high concentration of livestock farms, and local farmers have shown strong interest in collaboration,” says Helminen. The nutrient cycle and energy system interconnect At the core of a biogas plant are the digesters in which manure from farms is broken down by microbes under anaerobic conditions. This results in biomethane, which is recovered and liquified. “The remaining solid fraction is a nutrient-rich fertiliser, which farmers can spread on their fields. The digestate can be processed into fertiliser products with higher phosphorus or nitrogen content depending on the farms’ needs,” Helminen explains. Biogas production integrates the energy system and nutrient cycling: it generates renewable energy while reducing reliance on fossil-based fertilisers and improving resource efficiency in agriculture.Manure-based biofertiliser enables farms to reduce their use of fertilisers made from fossil-based raw materials. Farmers are also interested in Suomen Lantakaasu’s fertilisers because their nitrogen content is in a more readily available form than in artificial fertilisers. “Plants can utilise it more efficiently, which also reduces the risk of nutrient runoff.” Biogas plants also produce biogenic carbon dioxide. There is currently no commercial market for it, but in the future it could be captured and utilised, for example, in the production of e-fuels or to replace fossil carbon dioxide in industrial processes. Agricultural side streams hold potential – infrastructure is required as production expands Industrial-scale biogas production from manure is still relatively new in Finland. However, there is significant untapped potential. According to a study by the Natural Resources Institute Finland from a few years ago, approximately 17.3 million tonnes of manure are produced on farms each year. Surplus grass and straw could also be used as feedstocks for fuel production. The Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association estimates that two terawatt-hours of biogas could be produced from agricultural and food industry waste and side streams by 2030. “Suomen Lantakaasu aims to produce one terawatt-hour of liquefied biogas annually, equivalent to 100 million litres of diesel. Alongside emission reductions, this also strengthens Finland’s energy self-sufficiency and security of supply,” Helminen explains. More extensive use of biogas requires both production and efficient transmission and distribution solutions. While there are currently no plans for Gasgrid’s transmission network to be built near the existing plants, infrastructure expansion and regional networks could enable more efficient biomethane transport across Finland and to export markets in the longer term. “For example, Denmark already has a gas network in place. Network infrastructure could be one way to speed up the utilisation of agricultural bio-based materials for biogas production,” Helminen concludes. Quick facts The role of biogas in Finland’s energy system will increase as production, infrastructure and markets develop. The development of the biogas market depends largely on how production is integrated into national and regional gas infrastructure. Gasgrid is developing Finland’s gas transmission network and related market solutions that enable the efficient use and trading of renewable gases, such as biomethane. Suomen Lantakaasu in brief – Suomen Lantakaasu is a joint venture of biomethane company St1 Biokraft and food company Valio. – The company produces liquified biogas from manure for heavy-duty transport as well as bio-fertilisers for farms. – The aim is to build 5–7 biogas plants in Finland. The first two biogas plants are located in Nurmo and Kiuruvesi. – The company aims to produce one terawatt-hour of liquefied biogas annually, equivalent to 100 million litres of fossil diesel. Text: Matti Remes Photos: Photo of Helminen by BrankPhoto, photo of the plant by Suomen Lantakaasu Aiheet biogas renewable gas Share page https://gasgrid.fi/en/manure-turns-into-biofuel-for-heavy-duty-transport/ Copy link Link copied Sähköposti Facebook Whatsapp X messaging service Linkedin Read also All articles 24.06.2026 Article Biogas fuels Paulig’s roasteries and tortilla factories Article 16.06.2026 Article Future of Gases: Resilience, integration, and security highlighted in energy sector development Article 16.06.2026 Article Energy sector shows the way to a more sustainable future Article 25.03.2026 Article Sustainability is a shared responsibility at Gasgrid Article
Energy sector shows the way to a more sustainable future 16.6.2026 Board professional Jan Montell believes that energy issues are in fine form in Finland. However, the pace of decision-making and implementation must be accelerated. Montell spoke at the Future of Gases (Kaasujen Tulevaisuus) event, organized by Gasgrid, in June. According to energy expert Jan Montell, clean, mainly self-produced power is the foundation of any functioning energy system. However, gases are also needed to push the green transition forward. – Finland and Europe should have electricity, hydrogen, and methane systems that are as clean as possible, integrated with each other, he says. In Montell’s view, the hydrogen system acts as an extension of the electricity system, supporting the demands and competitiveness of various industries. At the same time, hydrogen serves storage needs. – Hydrogen and other gases are important since they bring balance to the power system, as well as fuel for backup power plants, he describes the complementary role of gases. Montell points out that from the industry’s perspective, optimizing value chains is the key issue here. – Deeper integration between different actors would enable more efficient use of expertise and capital, giving us more comprehensive, economically sound solutions, and, for example, improved flexibility on the consumption side. Long-term, strategic approach to energy policy What about the actual measures needed to ensure a stable energy system? What is Montell’s take on this? – Finland’s energy policy should be a part of a comprehensive industrial policy that spans several parliamentary terms, since Finland really needs growth. We do not have the time or money for sub-optimization, nor the opportunity to pick and choose the so-called better investments from out there, he points out. – The most important thing is that the clean transition train continues to go forward on its tracks, and there is no unwanted wavering. This “wavering” is often the result of market shocks and price spikes that cause citizens to panic and politicians to overpromise. – Political interventions only serve to undermine the big picture. This is a major challenge for entire Europe, says Montell, who lives in both Switzerland and Italy. Jan Montell spoke at Gasgrid’s Future of the Gases (Kaasujen Tulevaisuus) event in June 2026. Great preparation means better options Energy issues are also closely related to security, and diversity and decentralization are hot topics in both. – The energy system must be based on multiple technologies and alternative supply routes, sufficient backup systems, and wide-spanning markets, Montell says. As an international board professional, Montell has networked extensively throughout Europe, and he observes the fresh developments in the energy sector from many vantage points. Perhaps the most interesting of these is the Board of the Ukrainian transmission system operator NPC Ukrenergo. As a Member of the Board, Montell has seen many “eternal” industry truths come crumbling down to the ground. – For example, my view on energy self-sufficiency has totally changed due to the war in Ukraine, he admits. Ukraine teaches energy security Montell, who visits Kyiv several times a year, knows now that every nation must stand on its own two feet when it comes to energy: energy production and storage have skyrocketed on states’ respective priority lists in recent years. According to Montell, however, when he visits Ukraine the determining factor in the general atmosphere is not worry and grief, but, instead, the indomitable attitude of the citizens. – I have seen what people can do, even when missiles are falling. Ukrainians are extremely resilient. The green transition cannot be stopped Montell, who visits Kyiv several times a year, knows now that every nation must stand on its own two feet when it comes to energy: energy production and storage have skyrocketed on states’ respective priority lists in recent years. According to Montell, however, when he visits Ukraine the determining factor in the general atmosphere is not worry and grief, but, instead, the indomitable attitude of the citizens. – I have seen what people can do, even when missiles are falling. Ukrainians are extremely resilient. Montell would like Finland to have the same relentless focus on solutions as Ukraine does, as well as the readiness to implement also tough decisions. – In Finland, we need to keep dismantling unnecessary norms. Processes must be streamlined in order to attract investments in the energy sector, for example. In the big picture, however, the world keeps advancing in sustainability issues, even if, right now, the green transition seems to be taking a little break. – In the end, crises only strengthen the clean transition. People can be really smart when they learn to question the prevailing truths. Among various industries, Montell considers the energy sector to be the “hottest of the hot”: – The importance of energy in clean transition, geopolitics and business as well as people’s everyday lives is enormous. At the same time, technological innovations – for example in power storage – are really inspiring, Montell sums up. Read more Future of Gases: Resilience, integration, and security highlighted in energy sector development Jan Montell Jan Montell is a board professional with over 30 years of experience in the energy, real estate, construction and finance sectors. He is the Chairman of the Board of Skarta Energy and Octacell and a member of the Boards of Elenia and the Ukrainian TSO company NPC Ukrenergo. Montell holds a Master’s degree in Economics. Montell served as Fingrid’s CFO for over eight years. Earlier in his career, he worked as an advisor in consulting firms, for example as a partner at KPMG. Text: Sami Anteroinen Photos and video: Sami Heiskanen Aiheet clean transition energy system Share page https://gasgrid.fi/en/energy-sector-shows-the-way-to-a-more-sustainable-future/ Copy link Link copied Sähköposti Facebook Whatsapp X messaging service Linkedin Read also All articles 24.06.2026 Article Biogas fuels Paulig’s roasteries and tortilla factories Article 23.06.2026 Article Manure turns into biofuel for heavy-duty transport Article 16.06.2026 Article Future of Gases: Resilience, integration, and security highlighted in energy sector development Article 25.03.2026 Article Sustainability is a shared responsibility at Gasgrid Article
