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Bilfinger and Reefuelery to construct bio-LNG fuels plant

| By Mary Bailey

Bilfinger SE (Mannheim, Germany) is supporting REEFUELERY GmbH(Bakum, Germany) with the construction of a bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant for the production of the low-emission and climate-friendly REEFUEL for heavy-duty transport.

The contract for work on the construction of the bio-LNG plant, including the refueling facility, has now been signed between the copmanies. The plant, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2024, will produce LNG from biomethane that will be used as an alternative fuel for freight and heavy-duty transportation to reduce CO2 emissions.

“Bilfinger has immense potential to actively shape the energy transition in industry. We are looking forward to helping REEFUELERY implement its first German-based bio-LNG plant. The plant is a model for the circular economy and will help ensure that Germany reduces its dependence on fossil fuels,” says Bilfinger Group CEO Dr. Thomas Schulz.

The bio-LNG plant near Fulda will produce up to 180 tons of climate-neutral fuel per day from biomethane derived from municipal and agricultural residues. The sustainable fuel can be used in any LNG-powered truck and contributes to the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport. Up to 4,500 heavy-duty vehicles can be run on a permanently climate-neutral basis with the quantities produced in the plant. This saves a total of up to 550,000 tons of CO2 per year compared with diesel fuel. Bilfinger’s client REEFUELERY chose the site near Fulda because of its direct access to MIDAL, one of the most powerful gas pipelines in Germany.

“Bilfinger has previously proven to be a competent and reliable partner for us on other projects. We are delighted that we can once again rely on Bilfinger’s expertise in plant construction for the construction of our Bio-LNG plant near Fulda,” says Jürgen Muhle, CEO of REEFUELERY GmbH.

The bio-LNG plant is made up of a large number of individual parts, including components for cleaning and liquefying the gas, pumps, storage tanks and devices for refueling the tanker trucks. Bilfinger’s services for the construction of the bio-LNG plant include EPC (engineering-procurement-construction) services for the refueling facility as well as piping construction expertise. Because gas liquefaction involves working with extremely low temperatures, the piping must be designed to withstand operating temperatures as low as minus 196 degrees Celsius and be fitted with special insulation. Bilfinger’s decades of expertise in plant construction for clients in the fuel sector can be transferred seamlessly to a green energy source in the construction of the bio-LNG plant.