Recycling Energie Ag

What Recycling Energie Ag does

Recycling Energie AG is a privately-held Swiss waste-to-energy operator headquartered in Nesselnbach, Canton Aargau, running what the company describes as Switzerland's largest and most modern biogas plant. Its core technology platform is an integrated recycling park that combines two 2,000 m³ main fermenters and one 3,000 m³ post-fermenter for anaerobic fermentation of liquid biomass, plus a downstream gas-upgrading train that delivers over 96% methane biomethane into the Regionalwerke Baden grid at up to 600 m³/hour. A separate facility in Oberrohrdorf converts used frying oil into DIN EN 14 214-grade biodiesel through glycerin/methanol recovery and ion-exchange polishing, with glycerin and wash water recycled back into the biogas plant. Process heat and waste-heat integration deliver roughly 90% overall energy efficiency with only 6% self-consumption.

The business model combines two intertwined revenue mechanics: a recurring B2B waste-collection subscription for gastronomy, retail, and food-industry customers (with container provision, automated route planning, and fat-separator servicing), and a product side that monetizes the resulting renewable energy as eco-electricity fed into the grid (18 million kWh/year supplying ~5,000 households), upgraded biomethane, biodiesel (95% external sales / 5% own fleet), district heat to Reusspark (since 2013), and digestate-based natural fertilizer distributed via partner BAQ. The operation is family-owned (Humbel family since 1968), holds a K3 permit (2021-2031) and VeVa permit, and is ISO 9001 certified; named customers include Coop, Migros, Aldi Suisse, Manor, Denner, Emmi, Zweifel, Kadi, Gefu, Bianchi, and Swiss Premium AG. Geographic scope is limited to German-speaking Switzerland within roughly a 50 km collection radius, processing ~20% of Swiss food waste.

Strategically, the company has pursued incremental expansion through adjacent verticals (district heating in 2013, gas-grid injection in 2018, retail-dedicated Waschliner fleet in 2020) and a wholly-owned CO2 liquefaction spin-off (CO2-Energie AG) founded in 2022, while acquiring Ekura Recycling GmbH (2007) and HoGaPartner GmbH (2015) to consolidate collection capacity. Marketing is conducted predominantly through the corporate website, press coverage from 2009-2023, and a media library of videos and image galleries, with no disclosed social media or paid acquisition channels.

Name

Recycling Energie Ag

Legal name

Recycling Energie AG

Website

https://recycling-energie.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Recycling Energie AG operates Switzerland's largest biogas plant in Nesselnbach, converting organic waste from gastronomy, retail, and food-industry customers into renewable electricity, biomethane, biodiesel, district heat, and natural fertilizer across German-speaking Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste-to-Energy Recycling Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117), Other Waste Collection (562119)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Anaerobic Digestion (Wet/Dry AD) & Biogas Production (EUAIAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) & Biogas/RNG Production (Organics Feedstocks) (BPALAEAC), Food Waste-to-Energy (Organic Waste AD & Thermal) (EUACAIAH), Digestate Processing, Nutrient Recovery & Fertilizer Products (Struvite, Ammonia, Compost) (EUAAAEAL), Grease Trap, Used Cooking Oil & FOG Services (Collection & Recycling) (EUAIAGAK), Source-Separated Organics (SSO) Collection & Hauling (EUAIAEAA)

Keywords

• Organic waste recycling
• Biogas production
• Biodiesel manufacturing
• Waste collection services
• Renewable energy production

Headquarters

HQ city

Nesselnbach

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biogas/ Biomethane Sales: Biogas produced from food waste is upgraded to natural gas quality (over 96% methane) and fed into the Regionalwerke Baden gas distribution network. Revenue generated from selling upgraded biogas.
2. Electricity Sales (Ökostrom): Biogas drives Jenbach gas motors in block heating power plant to produce electricity fed into the power grid. Supplies approximately 5000 households with clean electricity.
3. Biodiesel Sales: Used frying oil from gastronomy and large kitchens converted to high-quality biodiesel meeting DIN EN 14 214 standards. About 95% sold externally, 5% used for own fleet.
4. Natural Fertilizer Sales: Digestate from fermentation process sold as agricultural fertilizer to local farmers through partner BAQ.
5. District Heating Sales: Waste heat from electricity production supplied via district heating pipeline to nearby Reusspark care center since 2013.
6. Waste Collection Services: Collection and disposal services for gastronomy, retail, and food industry. Fees charged for collecting food waste, frying oil, and fat separators. Clean containers provided in exchange.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Recycling Energie AG operates Switzerland's largest integrated biogas and biodiesel recycling park in Nesselnbach, converting organic food waste and used frying oil from gastronomy, retail, and food industry customers into renewable energy products (biogas, eco-electricity, biodiesel, district heating) and natural fertilizer. The company combines direct waste collection services with energy production at scale, processing approximately 40,000 tonnes of food waste annually to supply around 5,000 households with clean electricity.

Product overview

Recycling Energie AG betreibt einen integrierten Recycling-Park im aargauischen Nesselnbach, bestehend aus der grössten Biogasanlage der Schweiz (Nesselnbach) und der grössten Biodieselanlage der Schweiz (Oberrohrdorf). Das Portfolio umfasst fünf Kernprodukte — Ökostrom, Biogas, Biodiesel, Fernwärme und Naturdünger — die aus organischen Abfällen (Speisereste, Frittieröl, Lebensmittelabfälle) gewonnen werden. Ergänzt wird das Angebot durch vier Entsorgungsdienstleistungen für Gastronomie, Detailhandel, Lebensmittelindustrie und den Gastro-Saugliner für Grossbetriebe. Das Geschäftsmodell ist auf maximale Kreislaufwirtschaft ausgelegt: Die bei der Biodieselherstellung entstehenden Abfallstoffe (Waschwasser, Glycerin) werden in der Biogasanlage verwertet, Abwärme wird als Fernwärme an den Reusspark geleitet, und die Gärgülle dient als Naturdünger in der Landwirtschaft.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biodiesel High-quality biodiesel produced from used frying oil collected from gastronomy and large kitchens, manufactured at the Oberrohrdorf facility using a high-tech conversion process meeting DIN EN 14 214 standards. Around 95% is sold externally and 5% used for the company's own fleet.
• Biogas Biogas produced through anaerobic fermentation of liquid biomass and upgraded to natural gas quality (over 96% methane) for injection into the Regionalwerke Baden gas distribution network. Used for cooking, heating, and vehicle fuel.
• Eco-electricity (Ökostrom) Clean electricity generated by Jenbach gas motors in a block heating power plant driven by biogas from food waste processing. Annual production of approximately 18 million kWh, supplying around 5,000 households in the region.
• District Heating (Fernwärme) District heating supplied via pipeline from waste heat generated during electricity production. Since 2013, the Reusspark care and nursing center has been supplied, saving up to 300,000 liters of heating oil annually.
• Natural Fertilizer (Naturdünger) High-quality digestate-based organic fertilizer produced as a by-product of fermentation. Distributed to regional farmers through partner BAQ, replacing up to 1,000 tonnes of artificial fertilizer annually.
• Gastronomy Waste Collection Daily pickup service for food leftovers and frying oil from restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and large-scale catering operations. Clean and disinfected containers (120L or 240L) and oil barrels (60L or 120L) are provided in exchange.
• Retail Waste Collection Complete organic waste disposal for retail chains, from single branches to large distribution centers. Handles fruits, vegetables, meat, baked goods, and other food products. Customers include Coop, Migros, Aldi Suisse, Manor, and Denner.
• Food Industry Waste Collection Customized disposal solutions for food producers and processors, considering travel distances, space conditions, production processes, and waste characteristics. Uses press containers (24 m³) and roll-off containers (20 m³). Customers include Emmi, Zweifel, Kadi, Gefu Oberle, Bianchi, and Swiss Premium AG.
• Gastro-Saugliner Service Efficient suction and transport of food waste directly from large gastronomy operations, transporting up to 18 tonnes per trip to the biogas plant. Includes optional fat separator suction, odor neutralization, and guaranteed collection within 48 hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual production of 18 million kWh eco-electricity
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Co2-Energie AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Subsidiary founded in 2022 for the CO2 liquefaction project. Part of the company's diversification strategy.
• HoGaPartner GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Acquired in 2015, located in Luzern. Specializes in collection of food leftovers.
• Ekura Recycling GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2007Acquired in 2007, located in Hochdorf. Specializes in frying oil collection.
• BAQ (Bäuerliche Arbeitsgruppe Qualitätskompost)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAQ organizes production and distribution of high-quality digestate and nutrient-rich compost for farmers in the region for over 20 years. BAQ also takes care of spreading the biological natural fertilizer with modern and soil-conserving distribution methods completely independently.
• Hufschmid Grüngutverwertung GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen waste specialists for the utilization of organic waste. Recycling Energie AG has trusted the quality compost from Nesselnbach for years.
• NPS Handels AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor50% participation since 1999. NPS Handels AG in Cham is the partner for transporting liquid biomass.
• Hubschmid AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHubschmid in Nesselnbach is the partner for transporting large containers and roll-off containers.
• Regionalwerke BadencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegionalwerke Baden takes the processed biogas and ensures fine distribution through the existing natural gas network. The gas is then available to all who use natural gas for cooking, heating and driving.
• KesselminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecycling Energie AG empties fat separators for Kessel - an attractive and uncomplicated all-in-one package that pays off for Kessel in every respect.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Energie 360°: Swiss energy and heat provider that operates biogas plants, district heating networks and processes organic waste in Switzerland. Comparable on district heating and renewable gas from waste, with overlapping customer geography.
• Schmack Biogas Service: German AD plant operator and servicer producing electricity and heat from agricultural and organic feedstocks. Comparable on the AD operations and feedstock-collection model, though primarily German rather than Swiss.

Direct peers

• Kompogas: Swiss dry anaerobic digestion operator running multiple AD plants in Switzerland, processing organic waste into biogas and digestate. Direct competitor for feedstock collection and AD capacity in the Swiss market.
• Carbotech: Swiss biogas upgrading technology provider operating its own biogas upgrading and grid-injection plants. Comparable on biomethane upgrading (>96% methane) and grid-feed into Swiss gas networks.
• EnviTec Biogas: German operator and builder of AD biogas plants producing electricity, heat and biomethane from agricultural and organic waste. Comparable business model combining plant operation with biomethane grid injection and energy sales.
• Verbio: German producer of biodiesel (from UCO), bioethanol and biomethane, with vertically integrated feedstock collection. Closely comparable on the biodiesel + biomethane + feedstock collection combination, though at much larger scale and geographically broader.

Broad incumbents

• BKW Energie: Large Swiss integrated energy utility with renewable energy, district heating and waste-to-energy exposure. Competes in renewable electricity and district heat markets; broader portfolio but overlapping outputs.
• Axpo: Switzerland's largest renewable energy producer and owner of Kompogas. Operates biomass, biogas and district heating assets at scale and competes with Recycling Energie for Swiss organic-waste-to-energy contracts.

Emerging players

• Ecorecyclage SA: Western Switzerland-based operator focused on organic waste collection and recycling for agricultural and energy use. Comparable on regional food-waste collection and recycling into soil/energy products, but smaller scale and French-speaking geography.

Others

• Swisspower: Alliance of Swiss municipal utilities active in renewable energy, district heating and waste-related services. Adjacent ecosystem participant in the same renewable-energy and Swiss utility value chain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recycling-energie-ag

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Recycling Energie Ag