Cristal Union to acquire 10% of TotalEnergies’ BioNorrois methanizer

In France, TotalEnergies is joining forces with the French sugar group Cristal Union, which will supply it with beet pulp for 15 years to supply BioNorrois, the Company’s next biomethane production unit currently under construction in Fontaine-le-Dun, in the Seine-Maritime department, and scheduled to start at the end of 2024.

These organic residues, resulting from the processing of sugar beets by Cristal Union, will constitute more than half of the material processed by the methanizer when it starts up – the remainder being made up of organic agri-food waste sourced by TotalEnergies in the direct environment of the methanizer. ‘unit. In the first phase of operation of the methanizer, the expected production of biomethane will amount to nearly 100 GWh per year and will ultimately reach its maximum capacity of 153 GWh per year.

In the spirit of cooperation, sharing of value and sustainability of the local fabric which has driven the partners since the start of the project, the agreement provides for Cristal Union to become a 10% shareholder in the BioNorrois methanizer . This is a first for a sugar group in the biogas industry in France and Europe, and a key tool in its decarbonization strategy. This project is also an example of the circular economy and the short circuit, the methanizer being located just opposite the sugar factory. In addition, the organic fertilizer obtained in addition to the biogas during the methanization process – the digestate – will be entirely valorized by Cristal Union and the NatUp group, who will distribute it to their cooperators located nearby in order to support them in their transition to fertilization. more local and sustainable.