Biodiesel-fuel production and biogas power generation from food waste
[Company / organization] DOWA ECO-SYSTEM CO., LTD.
Time started (or to be started)
In 2009, BIODIESEL OKAYAMA CO., LTD. started manufacturing and selling biodiesel fuel made from used cooking oil.
In April 2021, BIODIESEL OKAYAMA CO., LTD. started a biogas power generation business fueled by food waste.
Technology and business model
Reduction of generation and effective use of food waste is an important task for building a sustainable society.
In Japan, initiatives have been taken in response to the Law on Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources, which was established in 2000. Of approximately 27 million tons of food waste that was generated annually, approximately 17 million tons of the waste was recycled into fodder, fertilizers, and other resources. The remaining approximately 10 million tons of food waste was disposed of by incineration, landfilling, or the similar methods. Further initiatives are deemed necessary for reducing the generation and making effective use of food waste.
BIODIESEL OKAYAMA belongs to the Okayama City Biofuel Regional Utilization Council and collects used cooking oil discharged from general households, restaurants, food manufacturing factories, etc. in collaboration with Okayama City, and manufactures biodiesel fuel a maximum of 1,200 kiloliters of biodiesel fuel per year. The manufactured biodiesel fuel is used for diesel vehicles such as garbage trucks and fixed-route buses, as well as for generator fuel and combustion improvers.
Furthermore, the company started biogas power generation fueled by food waste in April 2021. Accepting about 16,000 tons of food waste annually, the plant will generate electronic power corresponding to the annual power consumption of about 1,600 households, which will be sold through Feed-in Tariffs (FIT). The plant has preprocessing equipment for removing packaging, containers, and so forth. The food waste, that is otherwise difficult to recycle into fodder or fertilizer, will be used as a source for renewable energy.
Achievements and goals
FY2020 results
Sales amount of biodiesel fuel: Approximately 550kL
FY2021 plan
Sales amount of power generation from food waste: Approximately 4.6GW
Reference URL
- Renewable
- End-of-use
- Food
- Individual company
- Local government
- Currently under implementation (already in business)
- Case/initiative by individual company
