2009 Münsterland Award for Innovation for WESSLING

WESSLING has been granted the 2009 Münsterland Award for Innovation!
Being enthusiastic about the new trace elements mix for Biogas Plants, a jury of experts has granted our company the special award "Energie-Innovativ". Matthias Post, the WESSLING biogas specialist, and Carsten Lammers, head of environmental analytics Altenberge, have received the award during a ceremony at the Gempt-Halle in Lengerich.

WESSLING's biogas experts at Altenberge have developed a process additive for biogas facilities and a treatment for using it. This innovation allows, for the first time, to supply methane-making micro-organisms with trace elements in an optimally controlled way. The trace elements mix has been developed on the basis of a unique German-wide data pool, own experiments at the WESSLING laboratories and in joint work with the University of Applied Sciences (Faculty of Energy, Building, Environment) at Münster.
It is possible to use the trace elements as solutes, to be distributed among  the substrates in the biogas facility. This leads to measurable success in terms of higher returns for biogas plants. Moreover, the new treatment helps preserving resources and improving the environment. The liquid trace element mix will be manufactured by Agravis, a renowned agricultural company, in close cooperation with WESSLING.

The innovation has several outstanding effects:

• Optimum rate of return
• Trace elements are heavy metals that are potentially harmful to the environment. Tailoring the supply to the actual needs of the production process helps avoiding overdosage, thereby saving the environment.
• By avoiding overdosage, the digestate can be used as fertiliser. Hence, no costly disposal is necessary.
• Due to its solute and liquid form, the trace elements are easily available.
  You save any costs for iron hydroxide, since the mix is sulphur-binding.
  Labor safety is enhanced: Heavy metals such as cobalt are suspected to cause cancer. Using liquid mixes avoids any dusts that might be inhaled.
  

For further contact:

Matthias Post
WESSLING Laboratorien GmbH
Tel. +49 (0)2505 89-144
matthias.post@wessling.de