The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has announced the winners of this year’s AD and Biogas Industry Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements and innovations in the global anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas sectors. Co-organised by ADBA in partnership with World Biogas Association (WBA), the awards ceremony, held 10 July 2024 at the NCC in Birmingham, UK, recognised the exceptional international contributions of individuals, companies and projects that have demonstrated excellence and leadership in advancing the biogas industry.
The award winners, judged by an expert panel representing the global biogas sector, exemplify the innovation, dedication and progress driving the global shift towards sustainable circular economy solutions to waste and energy issues.
WBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton OBE said, “I heartily congratulate the winners of the 2024 AD and Biogas Industry Awards, who stood out among an extraordinary competition. The exceptional standard of this year’s shortlisted nominees highlights the remarkable innovation and dedication within the sector. Each nominee has demonstrated pioneering advancements, operational excellence and a commitment to sustainability, setting new benchmarks in the biogas industry. Their contributions underscore the dynamic progress and potential of AD and biogas technologies in addressing global energy and environmental challenges. This year’s shortlist not only reflects the industry’s current achievements but also its promising future.”
During the ceremony, host Chris Hines MBE, sustainability pioneer and co-founder of Surfers Against Sewage, spoke about his decades campaigning for sustainable waste water management and praised the AD and biogas industry for creating sustainable solutions, supporting healthy rivers and seas. Chris’ message resonated strongly with fellow guest speaker, and avid surfer, the 11-year-old Child Prime Minister of the UK Children’s Parliament, Clark Dearson, who spoke passionately about his own love of the sea and the inspiring power that solutions like AD and biogas have on overcoming the environmental despair felt by many children – and motivating the next generations.
The ceremony was attended by global industry leaders and policy makers with a delegation from India including Mr Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and the Chairman of the Indian Oil Corporation Mr Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, both major advocates for biogas’ great potential to decarbonise the global economy and cut harmful methane emissions. They were joined by representatives from the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), C40 Cities and the Global Methane Hub along with Shell Energy, Future Biogas and Hexagon Agility – the award sponsors.
The AD and Biogas Industry Awards 2024 Winners and Highly Commended:
- Health and Safety
Winner: Marches Biogas Ltd
Highly Commended: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW)
- Women in Biogas
Sponsored by Shell Energy
Winner: Katrin Pütz – (B)energy
Highly Commended: Alexi Dragonetti – Agrivert; Christine Mapp – Eco Verde Energy (EVE); Deanna Martin – Deanna Martin Biogas; Helen Edwards – Ceres Energy Limited; Mantopi Martina de Porres Lebofa – Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN)
- AD Hero of the Year
Sponsored by Future Biogas
Winner: Christopher Kellner
- Best Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas Support
Winner: Marches Biogas Ltd
- The Net Zero Circular Solutions
Sponsored by Hexagon Agility
Winner: Madrid City Council’s Anaerobic Digestion Complex – Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Parque Tecnológico de Valdemingómez (Madrid City Council-Valdemingómez Technology Park)
- Education Campaign of the Year
Winner: Advancing CBG and Biomethane Projects – Dr Rahul Jain – Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
Highly Commended: Biogas and Gases Technologies – TIND-BGASTECH
- Best Biogas Plant Below 1MWe Equivalent
Winner: Fylde Fresh and Fabulous AD facility – Fylde Fresh and Fabulous
Highly Commended: Gorakhpur Biogas Plant, Uttar Pradesh – Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
- Best Biogas Plant Above 1MWe Equivalent
Winner: Cocal Energia S.A. – Cocal and Geo Biogas & Carbon
Highly Commended: Edina and Biotech4 – Holme Bioenergy; Geo Tamboara – Geo Biogas & Carbon
- Micro AD Initiative
Winner: O Biodigestor Sertanejo (The Brushland Biodigester) – Diaconia
Highly Commended: Biolectric Small On-farm AD – Biolectric; Portable biogas plants in Yemen – BioTreasure
- AD Rising Star
Winners: David Payne – Zebra EM / Khanittha Monthaklin – Viridor (Process optimisation with SLR Consulting)
Highly Commended: Kevin Kirubakaran – Olleco
- Research and Innovation
Winner: Electrochaea´s Biomethanation Technology – Electrochaea
Highly Commended: Transforming Sustainability: The SMASH Project’s Outstanding Contribution to AD Biogas Innovation – Ixora Energy
