A revolution rooted in the circular economy: thanks to separate waste collection, organic waste is fed into an anaerobic digestion process to produce biogas.
Biomethane: a clean resource of biological origin
So, what makes this source of methane “bio”? Quite simply, it’s how it is produced: not by drilling into deep underground deposits, but by fermenting organic waste in dedicated facilities. Biomethane can be produced continuously, it is inexhaustible, and production can be increased simply by building more plants. This makes it one of the clearest examples of a circular economy.
In Spilamberto, a biodigester converted into a biomethane plant
An innovative plant for the production of biomethane is in operation in Spilamberto, in the province of Modena. It was developed by the NewCo Biorg, a joint venture between the Hera Group and Inalca (Cremonini Group), through a total investment of around €28 million and the use of the best available technologies.
Starting from separately collected organic waste and agri-food effluents, the plant – the result of converting an old biodigester – produces, at full capacity, 3.7 million cubic metres of biomethane per year, a 100% renewable fuel intended for transport, and around 18,000 tonnes of compost.
A cutting-edge plant for the energy transition and the circular economy
The 100% renewable natural gas is produced through anaerobic digestion of organic waste from separate collection carried out mainly in Modena and the province, along with waste from local agri-food processing and meat production by Inalca. Once refined, it becomes biomethane and can be fed into the gas network.
Significant environmental benefits: around 7,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided
Thanks to the injection of biomethane into the network and its use in transport, significant environmental benefits are expected. Every year, around 3,000 tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) in fossil fuels are saved, and approximately 7,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are avoided. Absorbing such an amount of CO₂ would require, on average, 280,000 trees.
What happens in our plant in Sant'Agata
Organic waste, collected through separate waste collection, undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. This is how the process works: the waste is shredded and screened, then remains for about 21 days in four horizontal digesters, where suitable microorganisms carry out the digestion process and produce biogas (composed of methane and carbon dioxide). After this, the biogas undergoes an upgrading, or purification, phase using pressurised water: the carbon dioxide dissolves and separates from the methane. The result is biomethane, a gas with a methane content above 95%, and a completely renewable source of energy. Not only that: at the end of the digestion process, lignocellulosic material is added to the outgoing solid fraction, producing a compact mass that then undergoes composting to create high-quality compost, which can be used as potting soil or agricultural fertiliser.
Biomethane is therefore another revolution rooted in the circular economy, one that we at Hera Group are committed to advancing. We do all this with the goal of creating shared value, as Andrea Ramonda, CEO of Herambiente, emphasises: “The direction we have taken looks towards the industrial sector with an increasing focus to creating shared value and partnerships. We are aware that sustainable waste management, focused on recovery and in full compliance with regulations, is essential in today’s world and generates benefits for the entire community.”
Working together for a circular city
At Hera Group, we have joined forces with Bologna Airport and Tper to launch a circular economy project that contributes to decarbonising urban mobility and improving air quality.
What does this partnership involve? The Airport delivers its organic waste to Hera, which collects it at the Sant'Agata Bolognese plant together with similar waste produced by citizens and transforms it into biomethane that Tper purchases to feed the fuel tanks of a significant part of its bus fleet.
This is an important step forward for our Group and for two major organisations in our area, which, like us, serve hundreds of thousands of people. We share a commitment to improvement and sustainability, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda.
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HeraVenture. Innovation that creates value
HeraVenture is the Hera Group's initiative dedicated to the development of new solutions and business models, created to enhance internal technological skills and assets
Through a structured Corporate Venture Building (CVB) approach, HeraVenture operates as a platform for incubating and accelerating innovative projects, with the aim of transforming ideas and technologies into autonomous and scalable entrepreneurial activities. The programme is part of the Group’s evolution, fostering collaboration between business units and the innovation ecosystem while promoting new market opportunities.
A new model to enhance technology assets
HeraVenture serves as a bridge between Hera’s industrial solidity and the startup ecosystem’s dynamism. It combines a proven brand with the agility to experiment, fostering the birth of new ideas.
Its visual and strategic language reflects this philosophy also in the logo, which conveys openness, movement, and growth. In this way, HeraVenture communicates an approach oriented towards collaboration and value creation.
Why Corporate Venture Building?
CVB is a complementary model to Corporate Venture Capital: while the latter invests in external startups, CVB relies on skills and assets found within the company. This approach allows you to bring your innovation projects to market independently, while also attracting new talent and ideas, thanks to a stimulating environment and significant investments.
The debut: NexSuite
The programme was presented at Enlit Europe 2025 with NexSuite, a portfolio of solutions for the safety and efficiency of gas networks, also designed for external distributors.
The main NexSuite solutions are:
- NexMeter: A 4.0 smart meter that automatically shuts off gas flow during leaks or seismic events;
- NexAction: The first self-powered system for remote automation of network valves (gas, water, district heating, and fluids), enabling emergency interventions within 150 seconds;
- Sentinel: A plug-and-play device for real-time 3D monitoring of expansion compensators, also versatile for water and district heating networks.
An investment for the future
Through investments of 1.3 billion euros by 2028 in innovative technologies and solutions, the Hera Group confirms its commitment to the digital transition and decarbonisation, transforming innovation into a driver of sustainable growth.