Top: Artist rendering of Convertus Group anaerobic digestion facility slated for construction in the York Region of Ontario.

With all necessary approvals and permits in hand, the Convertus Group will begin construction of a 220,500 tons/year anaerobic digestion facility in the York Region of Ontario. The facility, which will process source separated organics (SSO) from the Regional Municipality of York’s green bin program along with industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) food waste, is scheduled to open in 2027. Convertus York will be the first biofuel plant in Canada to incorporate a carbon dioxide (CO₂) liquefaction system that captures CO₂ during the biogas upgrading process. The biogas will be upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) through a three-stage membrane separation. During this process, CO₂ is separated out, then compressed, cooled, and converted into liquid form, which can be sold for use in industries like food and beverage production and greenhouses, explains Convertus. This system can produce up to 1,700 kilograms (close to two tons) of liquid CO₂/hour, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Depackaging equipment is being installed to process food waste from retailers, food manufacturers and other generators. The process is expected to generate between 350,000 to 400,000 gigajoules (GJ) of RNG annually. It will be injected directly into the local gas grid. Liquid digestate will be sold as a fertilizer to local farmers.