WtERT highlights a major innovation from its network partner, the Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE) at the University of São Paulo (USP), host of WtERT-Brazil network.

The newly inaugurated Bioenergy and Biofertilizer Plant represents a technological milestone in sustainable waste management, transforming organic waste that would otherwise be landfilled into electricity, biomethane, and high-quality fertilizers.

Developed as part of the transition toward a circular economy, the facility demonstrates how integrated solutions can simultaneously address waste management, climate change, and resource recovery challenges. By processing organic residues through anaerobic digestion, the plant produces biogas, which can be used for electricity generation or upgraded into biomethane for vehicle fuel.

As emphasized by the project coordinator, Prof. Ildo Luís Sauer:
“USP is a laboratory that produces concrete solutions to society’s challenges. This project integrates knowledge from chemistry, biology, engineering, and economic modeling to create a viable solution that can be replicated in cities across Brazil, generating opportunities throughout the value chain.”

The project began development in 2018 and entered partial operation in 2021, using organic waste from university restaurants and partner institutions. With the recent commissioning of the biomethane production unit, the plant is now fully operational. The total investment reached approximately R$10 million.

With a treatment capacity of 25 tonnes of organic waste per day, the system generates both energy and valuable by-products. Each tonne of waste can produce biogas for electricity generation or approximately 100–120 cubic meters of biomethane, alongside nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as biofertilizer.

Beyond its technical performance, the project demonstrates strong economic and environmental benefits. By diverting organic waste from landfills, the system reduces methane emissions while lowering disposal costs and generating new revenue streams through energy and fuel production.

Credit source: Marcos Santos/ USP images

A Replicable Model for Cities

The USP Bioenergy and Biofertilizer Plant represents a real-scale demonstration of how organic waste can be transformed into valuable resources within an institutional environment. The facility enables USP to process organic waste generated on its campus while converting an environmental challenge into renewable energy and recovered nutrients.

Beyond serving as a research and innovation platform, the project demonstrates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of an integrated waste valorization model that can be replicated by municipalities, metropolitan regions, and large organic waste generators.

The plant has received environmental licensing from CETESB (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo) and is authorized to process up to 43 tonnes of organic waste per day, allowing the treatment of USP campus waste while supporting research partnerships.

Through its cogeneration system, the facility produces renewable electricity and heat, with the generated energy integrated into the university’s electrical network. According to USP data, each tonne of processed organic waste can generate approximately 110 m³ of biogas, with potential for electricity production and further upgrading into biomethane.

WtERT Perspective

This initiative exemplifies how science-based solutions can transform organic waste into valuable resources while mitigating climate impacts. The integration of waste treatment, renewable energy production, and nutrient recovery offers a scalable pathway for cities worldwide seeking to reduce landfill dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.

WtERT commends IEE-USP and its partners for advancing a model that bridges research, technology, and real-world implementation.