Interview with Josef Oing

How did you hear about the UltraPract 2nd generation enzyme products?

At a conference of the NRW Chamber of Agriculture, the consultant for renewable raw materials explained the general effect of enzymes. The results of the pilot study by LWK NRW and Biopract were also presented.
The results convinced me and I therefore decided to use UltraPract® P2.

What were the factors that prompted you to buy UltraPract P2?

Our biogas plant is located in one of the most livestock-intensive regions in Germany. We are fully aware that we can only remain sustainable if we use residues from the region, i.e. farm manure and by-products such as maize straw, as substrates. At the same time, however, we also have to achieve high gas yields with the given retention time and reduce the amount of fermentation residue. This is why the use of farmyard manure was previously limited.
With UltraPract P2, we were able to significantly increase the use of these substrates.
What were the most important positive effects that you noticed?

– The substrate mix in the fermenter has become much more homogeneous.
– The flowability and therefore also the agitability have improved significantly. As a result, we were able to reduce the stirring intervals in fermentation residue stores and lower our own power consumption.
– Since the use of enzymes, fermentation residue separation has been trouble-free.

Could you please summarize your experience with the addition of enzyme products in your biogas production? What were the most important positive effects you noticed?

Our main advantage is that we have been able to significantly increase the proportion of manure in the ration and thus reduce the use of silage maize. This means around 60 ha less silage maize purchased per year for our system.
We are also seeing stable system operation thanks to optimum mixing, as the viscosity is also improved by the enzymes. The gas yields and quality are at the same level as before with maize-based feed rations, despite the high proportion of manure.

In your opinion, what are the key criteria for a long-term and successful cooperation between buyer and supplier of additives for the improvement of biogas processes?

For us, a close exchange about our plant operation is important. Biopract ABT is a reliable and competent partner for biological process management. At the same time, the economic efficiency of enzyme use is important.
The repeated recording of plant data to monitor the economic and biological parameters is therefore an important factor in our collaboration.