What Schmack Biogas does

Kanadevia Inova Schmack GmbH (operating as Schmack Biogas) is a Schwandorf, Germany-based specialist in the engineering, construction, and operation of biogas and Power-to-Gas plants, with the BiON® biological methanation process as its signature technology. The company, founded in 1995 and now a subsidiary of Kanadevia Inova AG (part of Japan's Hitachi Zosen Corporation following the 2021 acquisition from Viessmann Group), designs turnkey wet fermentation plants, biomethane gas injection facilities, and Power-to-Gas installations that convert surplus renewable electricity into grid-quality methane. Its proprietary portfolio includes the REMEX® agitator series, PASCO feeding systems, Flex-Silo storage, SiloDrain, the EUVIS 24/7 remote monitoring system, BIOWATCH control automation, and biological additives (METHANOS® F3, novoDYN®, novoDYN® liquid), supported by an in-house accredited laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018).

The company serves three primary segments: agricultural biogas plant operators (farmers and agricultural enterprises seeking yield optimization and repowering), municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) and energy companies decarbonizing gas portfolios, and large energy/industrial operators requiring Power-to-Gas and biomethane injection solutions. Named reference customers include Limeco (Switzerland's first industrial Power-to-Gas plant, Watt d'Or 2023), BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien / VNG (Ivenack plant), REWAG, UTS Products (Gordemitz biomethane injection), and the Swisspower alliance.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining one-time project construction contracts for new builds and repowering, recurring technical and biological service contracts, managed plant operations, proprietary component and consumable sales (agitators, feeding systems, additives), and operator training programs. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales supplemented by technical field service teams, EnergyDecentral trade fair participation, a nationwide Biogas Roadshow, and digital/LinkedIn presence; the parent group's global hubs extend reach into Europe, North America, Australia, and the Middle East. Notable conflicts in source data include firmographics headcount of 11–50 versus the Managing Director's stated ~150 employees in September 2022.

Name

Schmack Biogas

Legal name

Kanadevia Inova Schmack GmbH

Website

https://schmack-biogas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kanadevia Inova Schmack GmbH (Schmack Biogas) is a Schwandorf, Germany-based subsidiary of Kanadevia Inova AG that engineers, builds, and services biogas, biomethane, and Power-to-Gas plants for agricultural operators, municipal utilities, and energy companies across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biogas Plant Engineering and Renewable Gas Systems

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biogas/RNG Plant Development, EPC & Project Delivery (EUAAAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biogas/RNG Plant Operations, Maintenance & Asset Management (EUAAAEAI), Biogas Upgrading to RNG & Injection/Fueling (Gas Cleanup, Compression) (EUAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Biogas plant engineering
• Power-to-gas systems
• Biological methanation
• Biomethane gas injection
• Anaerobic digestion

Headquarters

HQ city

Schwandorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Plant Construction & Project Development: Design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of turnkey biogas plants, Power-to-Gas plants, and biomethane gas injection facilities. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for new plant construction, modernization, and expansion projects.
2. Technical Service & Maintenance: Preventive maintenance, repairs, recurring inspections, fault management, automation, and authority/approval management for biogas plants. Provided through service contracts and individual service engagements.
3. Biological Service & Consulting: Accredited laboratory analytics, biological commissioning, process disturbance consulting, Fit for Biogas contracts, substrate testing, and process optimization packages.
4. Plant Management & Operations: Full plant management including operational management, remote monitoring (EU VIS), raw materials procurement, fertilizer management, and 24/7 fault management. Provided through ongoing management contracts.
5. Components & Equipment Sales: Sale of proprietary components including Flex-Silo, SiloDrain, PASCO feeding systems, REMEX agitators, and third-party components (pumps, gas storage, BHKW peripherals).
6. Gas Feed-in & Biomethane Solutions: Project development, engineering, and commissioning of biomethane gas injection plants starting from 150 Nm³/h, including gas upgrading and grid connection services.
7. Training & Education: Operator qualification training (TRGS 529 and TRAS 120 compliant), seminars on mechanical and process engineering, safety technology, and legal frameworks, delivered in Schwandorf.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kanadevia Inova Schmack GmbH (formerly Schmack Biogas) engineers, constructs, and services turnkey biogas plants, Power-to-Gas plants, and biomethane gas injection facilities using proprietary wet fermentation and biological methanation technology. The company also manufactures and sells proprietary components (Flex-Silo silo systems, PASCO feeding technology, REMEX® agitators), biological additives (METHANOS® F3, novoDYN® trace element products), and provides ongoing technical, biological, and operational plant management services.

Product overview

Kanadevia Inova Schmack GmbH (Schmack Biogas) offers a comprehensive portfolio of biogas and renewable gas solutions centered around plant construction (Biogas Plants, Power-to-Gas Plants, Gas Feed-in Systems), proprietary technology (BiON® biological methanation process), and extensive service offerings (Technical Service, Biological Service with accredited laboratory, Plant Management, Training Programs). The product range includes proprietary components such as the REMEX® agitator series, PASCO feeding technology, and Flex-Silo storage systems, complemented by substrate additives (METHANOS® F3, novoDYN® trace element products) and monitoring systems (EUVIS remote monitoring, BIOWATCH control system). The company operates as both equipment manufacturer and full-service provider, delivering turnkey plants alongside ongoing operational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biogas Plants (Turnkey Construction) Turnkey design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of biogas plants for agricultural residues, waste materials, and energy crops using wet fermentation technology. For biogas plant operators, farmers, municipal utilities, and industrial customers.
• Power-to-Gas Plants Power-to-Gas and Power-to-Methane plants using proprietary BiON® biological methanation to convert surplus renewable electricity into storable synthetic methane for grid injection. For energy utilities, municipal utilities, and industrial operators.
• Biomethane Gas Feed-in Systems Biomethane upgrading and grid injection systems that purify biogas and feed it into the natural gas grid starting from 150 Nm³/h. For biogas plant operators seeking grid connection and gas marketing revenue.
• Flex-Silo System Patented driveway silo concept made from HDPE systembuilding blocks filled with concrete, protecting groundwater from silage seepage. Suitable for agricultural biogas operators with silage storage requirements.
• SiloDrain Drainage System Drainage system for covered silo surfaces that collects and directs precipitation water as clean rainwater, separating it from silage seepage to reduce disposal costs. For biogas plant operators with covered silo infrastructure.
• PASCO Feeding Technology Self-developed feeding systems available in multiple sizes (PASCO 8/12, 16/20/30, 60/80/100) for flexible processing of solid substrates including grass, corn, and solid manure with low power consumption. For biogas plant operators feeding solid substrates.
• REMEX® Paddle Agitator Continuous paddle agitator for gentle mixing of microorganisms in substrates within fermenters. Features very low power consumption, robust construction, and maintenance-friendly design. For biogas plant operators with concrete fermenter tanks.
• REMEX® SF Self-supporting Agitator Self-supporting agitator for steel tanks with internal mounting frame that transmits torque to tank floor, eliminating the need for external support structures or concrete foundations. Features reinforced sealing flange frame. For biogas plant operators with steel fermenter tanks.
• Prw-s Stirring System Externally mounted stirring system on concrete slabs with ATEX Zone 2 approval and frequency converter control. Over 500 successful installations in biogas plants. For biogas plant operators requiring ATEX-certified external agitation.
• METHANOS® F3 Bacterial Additive High-performance bacterial culture that enhances biogas process flexibility and efficiency, enabling substrate substitution from conventional inputs like corn to cheaper alternatives like grass or solid manure. For biogas plant operators seeking cost reduction and substrate flexibility.
• novoDYN® Trace Element Mixture Trace element mixture providing optimal ratio for fermentation process supplementation with flexible dosing depending on substrate use. For biogas plant operators seeking demand-oriented trace element management.
• novoDYN® liquid Liquid trace element mixture for stable fermenter biology that combines properties of solid product and pure salts without addition of iron hydroxide. Suitable for all plant types with emissions-free incorporation and simple storage.
• NIRS Rapid Test Near-infrared spectroscopy analytical service that delivers instant gas yield analysis of substrates in 3 minutes, replacing conventional 40+ day testing methods. For biogas plant operators and substrate suppliers seeking rapid substrate qualification.
• Plant Repowering Services Modernization, optimization, engineering, automation, and flexibility-upgrade services that extend the lifecycle and improve economics of aging biogas plants. For existing biogas plant operators seeking to extend plant lifespan and improve performance.
• Technical Service and Maintenance Preventive maintenance, repairs, recurring inspections, fault management, automation, and authority/approval management for biogas plants, delivered by internal field service technicians. For biogas plant operators requiring ongoing technical support.
• Biological Service Biological support services including accredited laboratory analytics, biological commissioning, process disturbance consulting, Fit for Biogas optimization programs, substrate testing, and process optimization packages. For biogas plant operators seeking biological process optimization.
• Plant Management and Operations Complete operational plant management including operational management, 24/7 EUVIS remote monitoring, raw materials procurement, fertilizer management, and administrative tasks. For third-party plant owners and investors seeking turnkey operations outsourcing.
• Operator Qualification Training Programs Operator qualification training programs covering plant safety per TRGS 529 and TRAS 120, including seminars on mechanical and process engineering, safety technology, and legal frameworks, with 16 teaching units certification. For plant operators and technical staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Limeco Power-to-Gas plant saves ~5,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, equivalent to ~2,000 households' annual emissions.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor and former parent (historical).

• Limeco (Limmattaler Regiowerk)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2022Kanadevia Inova Schmack designed and built Switzerland's first industrial Power-to-Gas plant based on biological methanation for Limeco in Dietikon, Zurich. Limeco is the owner and operator of the plant. The project was inaugurated in April 2022 and received the Watt d'Or 2023 award.
• Kanadevia Inova AG (Hitachi Zosen Inova)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Kanadevia Inova AG (a Swiss-Japanese cleantech company, part of Hitachi Zosen Corporation) acquired the business activities and entire workforce of Schmack Biogas Service GmbH and microbEnergy GmbH in October 2021. The agreement was signed with Viessmann Group on 9 July 2021. This acquisition expanded Kanadevia Inova's expertise and footprint in renewable gases, with Schmack adding capabilities in wet fermentation and biological methanation.
• Swisspower (Swiss Municipal Utility Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisspower is an alliance of 8 Swiss energy suppliers that co-initiated and co-realized the Limeco Power-to-Gas project together with Limmattaler Regiowerk Limeco. Kanadevia Inova Schmack served as the technology supplier and builder.
• BALANCE Erneuerbare Energien GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBALANCE, a 100% subsidiary of VNG (Leipzig), owns the Ivenack biogas plant (626 kWel). Kanadevia Inova Schmack developed and executed an optimization concept for the plant, achieving ~100,000 EUR additional annual revenue through technology upgrades.
• UTS Products GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the biomethane gas injection plant project in Gordemitz, Saxony. The partnership delivered a ~700 Nm³/h biomethane injection plant in only one year of construction, supplying up to 4,000 households.
• REWAG (Regensburger Energie- und Trinkwasserversorgung AG & Co KG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal utility partner in a joint Silphie (Cup Plant) cultivation project for biodiversity in biogas. REWAG uses Silphie as an energy crop in its biogas plant, with Schmack managing raw material logistics.
• Viessmann Groupformer parent (historical)OthersFormer parent company of Schmack Biogas Service GmbH and microbEnergy GmbH. Viessmann Group signed the sale agreement with Kanadevia Inova on 9 July 2021. Prior to acquisition, Viessmann provided the corporate umbrella for the Schmack biogas brands.
• German Biogas Association (Fachverband Biogas)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchmack Biogas collaborates with the German Biogas Association on biodiversity initiatives, including the Biodiversity Action Week 2020, promoting the use of energy crops like Silphie for species and soil protection.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PlanET Biogas: German biogas plant designer and EPC contractor focused on agricultural and industrial wet fermentation. Direct competitor with overlapping product portfolio (turnkey plants, components, service).
• Weltec Biopower: German-headquartered EPC specialist for biogas plants using wet and dry fermentation. Direct competitor to Schmack in turnkey agricultural and industrial biogas plant construction across Germany and Europe.
• BioConstruct: German-based EPC provider for biogas and biomethane plants, with strong presence in agricultural and industrial wet fermentation. Direct competitor with similar turnkey plant offering and German customer base.
• Nature Energy: Denmark's largest biogas operator, owning and operating large-scale biogas plants and biomethane production. Comparable in technology focus (wet fermentation, gas upgrading) and in being a vertically integrated player in the European biomethane value chain.
• Anaergia: Canada-listed global provider of anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading solutions with operational and EPC presence in Europe and North America. Direct competitor in AD plant technology and biogas upgrading.
• EnviTec Biogas: German biogas plant manufacturer, operator, and EPC contractor covering the full value chain from plant construction to operation and biomethane upgrading. Comparable in scale, business model, and customer base to Schmack.
• Bright Renewables: Netherlands-based EPC contractor for biogas and biomethane upgrading plants. Comparable in core business (biogas upgrading, gas injection) and increasingly in adjacent green gas technology delivery.
• HoSt Group: Dutch EPC firm specializing in biogas plants, biomethane upgrading, and green gas solutions. Competes directly on industrial-scale biogas plants and biomethane injection across Europe.

Broad incumbents

• Verbio: Germany's largest biofuel producer, also active in biomethane (RNG) production. Broader incumbent in renewable fuels with overlapping biomethane and agricultural feedstock exposure, but with much larger scale and a different primary product mix (biodiesel/ethanol).

Emerging players

• Electrochaea: Specialist in biological methanation (Power-to-Gas) using a proprietary biocatalyst process — the closest direct competitor to Schmack's BiON® technology. Comparable in that both use biological methanation to convert H₂/CO₂ into grid-injectable renewable methane, but Electrochaea is earlier-stage and less commercialized.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schmack-biogas-ag

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Schmack Biogas