Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy

What Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy does

The Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy (IBKE) is a specialist consulting cooperative headquartered in Weimar, Germany, providing advisory services across the biogas and biomethane value chain. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Frank Scholwin and converted to an employee-managed cooperative (eG) in February 2026, the firm serves biogas plant operators, energy utilities, government bodies, and investors with four core service lines — strategy consulting, biogas consulting, biomethane consulting, and GHG balancing (Treibhausgasbilanzierung). Engagements combine technical, economic, ecological, and organizational analysis, producing feasibility studies, profitability analyses, process biology monitoring, expert opinions for legal and insurance disputes, and sustainability certification support. The institute has supported approximately 30 biomethane projects historically and guided 26 plants through the EEG tender process in 2025.

The firm's portfolio is delivered through direct consulting engagements, supplemented by a network of 20+ formal partners including DBFZ, Renewtec, Fachverband Biogas, the European Biogas Association, GIZ, KTBL, and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Project deliverables include the BIOKRAFT guide and online application for biomethane as fuel, the Flexibilization Guide, and the Rohbiogas Sammelleitungen guide. The institute also operates the Biogas Thüringen regional communication platform, co-organizes the REGATEC and Biomethantag Weimar conferences, and contributes to EU-funded research and demonstration projects such as Grünland H2, MuD BMA Lewitz (Bio-LNG from horse manure), and Bio-Biogas in organic farming.

Revenue is generated entirely through professional services fees on a quote-based, project-by-project basis, with no disclosed pricing or recurring contracts. Marketing is driven by industry events, technical publications, EU and government project participation, and network referrals. The geographic footprint is concentrated in Germany with select international engagements across Europe (Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden), Latin America (Brazil, Colombia), and Asia (India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia), typically delivered in collaboration with GIZ or local partners.

Name

Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy

Legal name

Institut für Biogas, Kreislaufwirtschaft und Energie eG

Website

https://biogasundenergie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy (IBKE) is a Weimar-based employee cooperative providing specialized consulting in biogas, biomethane, and GHG balancing for plant operators, energy utilities, government bodies, and investors across Germany and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biogas and Biomethane Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Anaerobic Digestion (Wet/Dry AD) & Biogas Production (EUAIAEAD), Food Waste-to-Energy (Organic Waste AD & Thermal) (EUACAIAH), Anaerobic Digestion (AD) & Biogas/RNG Production (Organics Feedstocks) (BPALAEAC)

Keywords

• Biogas consulting
• Biomethane advisory
• GHG balancing
• Renewable energy consulting
• Waste management advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Weimar

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Project-based consulting engagements including market and feasibility studies, profitability analysis, expert opinions, technical analysis, and ongoing advisory services for biogas plant operators and energy companies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy provides consulting services for biogas and biomethane plant operators, energy utilities, and government institutions. Its core deliverables include market and feasibility studies, profitability analysis, technical and economic evaluation, expert opinions for legal and insurance matters, process biology monitoring, and greenhouse gas balancing for sustainability certification. The institute also conducts knowledge transfer through workshops, conferences (e.g., REGATEC, Biomethantag Weimar), and applied research and demonstration projects in circular bioeconomy.

Product overview

The Institute for Biogas, Waste Management & Energy (IBKE) is a consulting cooperative providing advisory services for biogas and biomethane plants, operating as a multi-service portfolio rather than a unified software product. The core service offerings include Strategy Consulting, Biogas Consulting, Biomethane Consulting, and GHG Balancing (THG-Bilanzierung), complemented by Knowledge Transfer & Training programs. Key project deliverables include the BIOKRAFT Guide & Online Application for biomethane as fuel, the Guide for Raw Biogas Collection Pipelines, and the Flexibilization Guide. The institute also operates the Communication Platform Biogas Thüringen as a regional information platform. Research and demonstration projects include the MuD BMA Lewitz horse manure digestion project, Bio-Biogas in organic farming, and Grünland H2 green hydrogen initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategy Consulting Strategic advisory services for biogas plant operators, energy utilities, and authorities covering market and feasibility studies, profitability analysis, and integration of renewable energy systems.
• Biogas Consulting Technical analysis, future options after EEG subsidy period, economic viability assessments, plant consulting, documentation, process biology support, and expert opinions for biogas plant operators.
• Biomethane Consulting Advisory services covering biogas upgrading through to economic sales of biomethane, including trading, feasibility studies, technical analysis, economic viability calculations, and plant consulting and documentation.
• GHG Balancing (THG-Bilanzierung) Consultation for improving greenhouse gas balance, sustainability certification support, and THG quota certification for biogas and biomethane operators.
• Knowledge Transfer & Training Workshops, seminars, and training courses on biogas production and use for international audiences; organized events include REGATEC conferences and IBBA workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully supported approximately 30 biomethane projects for biogas processing and grid feeding
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Renewtec AB (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for consulting and event organization focused on thermochemical gasification and renewable gases. Co-organizes the annual REGATEC (Renewable Gas Technology Conference) since 2012. Renewtec is a Swedish company specializing in renewable energy consulting and event management.
• Universität RostockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and teaching partnership in bioenergy and waste management. Dr. Frank Scholwin served as honorary professor at University of Rostock. Collaborative projects include training courses for Brazilian Energy Research Office (EPE) and various knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Bauhaus-Universität WeimarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for hydrogen-related projects. Located in the same city as IBKE's headquarters, facilitating close collaboration. Dr. Scholwin worked at the university previously. Active in Grünland H2 project for green hydrogen from biogas.
• DBFZ (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Biomass Research Center - applied sustainability and technology-oriented research for efficient biomass integration. Dr. Scholwin coordinated biogas technology research at DBFZ and was scientific director in 2011/2012. Multiple former DBFZ staff now at IBKE.
• European Biogas Association (EBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of European biogas and biomethane companies and organizations. IBKE contributed to BIOSURF project for sustainability criteria benchmarking and gap analysis for cross-border biomethane trading.
• Fachverband Biogas e.V.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman Biogas Association - partner for events and conferences including joint organization of Biomethantag Weimar and BIOKRAFT project. Collaboration on biogas standards India and Cambodia projects.
• RegPower GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for consulting services and biomethane market assessments. Part of Kompetenznetzwerk Biogas. Provides expertise in market entry and biomethane trading strategies.
• Richter ECOS GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for optimization and service of existing and new biogas and biomethane plants. Part of Kompetenznetzwerk Biogas with long-standing experience in planning, realization, optimization, and service.
• KTBL (Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on BIOKRAFT project - guide and online application for biomethane as fuel for agricultural biogas plants. Funded by BMEL through FNR.
• R2GasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for international consulting services in renewable gases. Co-organizes annual R2Gas Biomethane Workshop in Vienna. IBKE part of R2Gas network.
• GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMultiple collaborations on international projects including biogas standards India, Vietnam biogas contribution, Brazil biomethane regulation support, and Colombian biogas training.
• ThEGA (Thüringer Energie- und Klimaschutzagentur)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerThuringian Energy and Climate Protection Agency - funding partner for consulting biogas plants on future options after EEG support. Project partner in Grünland H2 project.
• ThEEN (Thüringer Erneuerbare Energien Netzwerk)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThuringian Renewable Energy Network - partner for projects and events in Thuringia.
• Kompetenznetzwerk BiogasmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork partner for information and project collaboration on biogas and biomethane topics. Includes RegPower, Richter ECOS, Thomas Knauer as integrated partners.
• IBBK BiogasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner for biogas expertise and knowledge sharing.
• Biogas ThüringencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional communication platform for biogas visibility in Thuringia, operated by IBKE. Makes biogas and biomethane advantages visible for society and environment in Thuringia. Publishes biogas brochure 'Biogas is cool'.
• Biogas Akademin (Sweden)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for communication of biogas advantages, primarily in Scandinavian region.
• Biogas Solutions Research Center (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner for research and development in biogas solutions.
• eQuotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for THG quota trading in the transport sector, supporting biogas plant operators with sustainability certification monetization.
• IBBA WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of biogas and biomethane stakeholders organizing workshops on topics like methane emissions, digestate treatment, and cellulosic feedstocks.
• MFPA (Materialforschungs- und Prüfanstalt Weimar)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute combining research competencies with commercial activities in testing, monitoring, and certification of materials and components.
• CNG-Club e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for communication and development of CNG mobility topics.
• FahrBiogas Energiegenossenschaft (Switzerland)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss biogas energy cooperative for knowledge exchange and collaboration on biogas mobility.
• Baltic Energy Innovation CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on research and development in energy innovation for Baltic region.
• Bauernverband ThüringenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThuringian Farmers Association - partner for events on biogas and biomethane in Thuringia.
• biogaspartnerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork partner for information and project execution in biogas sector.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• European Biogas Association (EBA): Pan-European industry association where IBKE contributes; competes for attention on policy consulting and benchmark studies but is a non-profit umbrella rather than a fee-based consultancy.
• DBFZ (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum): Germany's applied biomass research centre and a former employer of multiple IBKE staff; overlaps on biogas research, feasibility studies, and policy consulting, but operates at much larger scale with public funding and a broader biomass mandate.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems (IEG): Large applied-research institute conducting biomethane, hydrogen, and energy-system studies; competes with IBKE for public-funded consulting mandates in renewable gas topics.
• KPMG / PwC ESG and Energy Transition practices: Big-4 firms with growing biomethane and renewable gas advisory teams; serve enterprise-scale clients with GHG balancing, market entry, and feasibility work that overlaps with IBKE's service portfolio.
• Arthur D. Little (Energy & Sustainability practice): Global management consultancy with a renewable gas and biomethane advisory practice; competes with IBKE on higher-end strategy and feasibility engagements for utilities and large operators.
• Fachverband Biogas e.V. The German biogas industry association and IBKE's formal partner; provides policy advocacy, market data, and standards work that partially substitutes for IBKE's consulting on regulatory frameworks and market strategy.

Direct peers

• Richter ECOS GmbH: Kompetenznetzwerk Biogas partner providing planning, optimization, and service for biogas and biomethane plants; competes with IBKE on technical plant consulting and feasibility studies.
• RegPower GmbH: Strategic partner within Kompetenznetzwerk Biogas offering biomethane market assessments, trading strategies, and plant consulting — overlapping directly with IBKE's biomethane and strategy consulting services.
• GFAW Consulting Services: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)-funded consulting on biomass utilization in the energy sector — directly comparable to IBKE's biomass/biogas advisory offering for rural and agricultural clients.
• Renewtec AB: Swedish renewable energy consulting firm and long-standing IBKE partner co-organizing REGATEC; comparable in size and scope, focused on thermochemical gasification and renewable gas consulting across the Nordics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-biogas-waste-management-&-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 →

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