Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke leads Bio2Max initiative to capture bio-CO₂ and recycle nutrients from biogas plants in support of Valio’s climate goals

Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke leads Bio2Max initiative to capture bio-CO₂ and recycle nutrients from biogas plants in support of Valio’s climate goals

(IN BRIEF) The Bio2Max project, coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), has been launched to improve the sustainability of dairy production and enhance the value of biogas plant by-products. The initiative focuses on capturing and utilizing bio-CO₂, creating recycled fertilizers from digestate, and developing new technologies for nutrient recovery and biochar productization. Backed by Business Finland as part of Valio’s Food 2.0 program, the project supports Valio’s goal of carbon-neutral milk by 2035. Research partners include VTT and LUT University, with additional involvement from Finnish companies such as Jeppo Biogas Ab, St1 Biokaasu Oy, and Vaisala Oyj. By combining energy efficiency with nutrient recycling, Bio2Max aims to reduce emissions, strengthen Finland’s biogas sector, and generate new economic opportunities in sustainable agriculture and industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 2-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A new research initiative, Bio2Max, led by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), has been launched to advance the environmental sustainability of milk production while boosting the economic value of biogas plant by-products. The project aims to transform the biogas ecosystem by developing value chains that capture and utilize bio-based carbon dioxide (bio-CO₂) and improve nutrient recycling through advanced technologies.

At the heart of the project is the development of solutions to separate, purify, and use CO₂ released during biogas production. These efforts will enable its use in fertilizers and other value-added applications. The project also explores the processing of digestate into recycled fertilizer products, creating new opportunities for both the energy and agricultural sectors.

According to Vesa Joutsjoki, Senior Scientist at Luke, Finland is well-positioned in this emerging market: “A new market is only just forming for biogenic CO₂, and Finland is already playing an active role. Europe has become a pioneer in biogas and nutrient recycling thanks to its green growth objectives, and Finland has great potential to strengthen its competitiveness in this space.”

The Bio2Max project is closely tied to Valio’s Food 2.0 Leading Company (Veturi) program, backed by Business Finland, and supports Valio’s climate roadmap to cut the carbon footprint of milk to zero by 2035. Ehsan Fathi, Project Manager at Valio, highlighted: “This project strengthens our expertise in biogas and carbon capture value chains, both of which are central to reaching carbon neutrality. By focusing on nutrient recycling and bio-CO₂ capture, we are reinforcing the sustainability of the dairy sector.”

Manure, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff, is a critical input for biogas plants. By processing manure in modern biogas facilities, emissions can be reduced while producing renewable energy and recycled nutrients to replace fossil fertilizers. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland plays a key role in the project, with Hanna Kyllönen noting that VTT is developing innovative technologies for CO₂ separation and biochar productization, further enhancing nutrient recovery.

The project also includes LUT University and a wide network of industrial partners such as Envitecpolis Oy, Jeppo Biogas Ab, St1 Biokaasu Oy, Vaisala Oyj, and others. Cultivation trials will test the practical usability of recycled fertilizer products, while collaboration across sectors is expected to deliver not only environmental benefits but also new economic opportunities.

As Joutsjoki emphasized, “Our broader objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of Finland’s agri-food and technology industries. By developing valuable new uses for biogas plant by-products, we can improve both sustainability and long-term industrial resilience.”

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SOURCE: Valio