UGN-Umwelttechnik GmbH, is introducing its UgnCleanPellets® to the US market with support from the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative. The company provides direct proof of the performance of its product in a state-of-the-art biogas plant in California.

Biogas in California: a growing market with regulatory momentum

California is considered a pioneer of the energy transition in the United States. In 2024, more than 52 percent of electricity generation came from renewable sources, including large-scale hydropower. In this context, biogas and biomethane are gaining strategic importance as dispatchable and storable complements to wind and solar energy.

The potential is significant: organic waste streams such as food waste, manure, and landfill gas are still largely underutilized resources. Their energetic use could significantly contribute to the decarbonization of California’s gas supply. At the same time, biogas supports circular economy approaches, as the remaining digestate can be returned to agriculture as nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Rethinking biogas upgrading

Raw biogas contains hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a toxic and corrosive gas that poses operational challenges. It damages equipment, increases maintenance requirements, and affects operational safety. Conventional removal using activated carbon is effective but energy-intensive, CO₂-intensive, and limited in capacity.

UGN-Umwelttechnik GmbH addresses this challenge with UgnCleanPellets®, a sustainable, cellulose-based filter material made from recycled resources. The pellets convert hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur and offer several advantages: near CO₂-neutral production, no need for gas drying—resulting in energy savings of 40 to 60 percent—and a higher loading capacity compared to activated carbon.

Practical proof in San Luis Obispo

The performance of UgnCleanPellets® is demonstrated in a project on the US West Coast: the Kompogas® plant SLO in San Luis Obispo, California, operated by Kanadevia Inova, a Swiss cleantech company headquartered in Zurich that specializes in converting waste into sustainable energy.

In cooperation with its distribution partner Green Gas Services LLC, UGN supplied eleven tonnes of UgnCleanPellets®, corresponding to a minimum operating period of 24 months. The plant processes 36,500 US tons of municipal organic waste per year and generates more than 6.3 GWh of electricity annually—enough to supply around 600 households.

With support from the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative, the innovative gas desulfurization technology developed by UGN-Umwelttechnik GmbH was presented to an international audience during a public event held on 24 March 2026 at the historic Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo.

In his opening remarks, Nicolas Schrader, representative of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Los Angeles, emphasized that the transition to cleaner energy systems is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity, requiring cooperation across borders and industries.

Expert presentations during the event highlighted that the environmentally friendly filter material, UgnCleanPellets®, significantly exceeds projected loading capacities in both biogas and wastewater treatment applications, demonstrating strong potential for successful deployment in the US market.

Following the official programme, participants visited the plant and were able to see the effectiveness of the technology first-hand.

The project in San Luis Obispo is more than a single installation—it forms the basis for UGN-Umwelttechnik GmbH’s expansion into the North American market.

With the RES programme, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) supports German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany.