VORN Bioenergy has secured project financing from ING Italia for its first biomethane plant in Italy, located in the municipality of Ferrara.
The facility, designed to produce 8.5 million Nm³ of biomethane annually, represents a strategic step in VORN's expansion plan across Italy, Spain and Poland through both greenfield developments and brownfield acquisitions.
Construction commenced in November 2024 with initial completion targeted for mid-2026. The total investment amounts to a mid-double-digit million euro sum, supported through a project financing structure arranged by ING Italia, which also acts as Hedging Bank and Sustainability Coordinator.
The financing includes "accordion facilities" that allow VORN to efficiently raise further support for additional Italian projects whilst maintaining the possibility of involving new lenders.
A distinctive element of the project is its landscape integration. The plant utilises earth fermenter technology, constructed using soil from the premises only to ensure minimal visual impact. The facility will process 60-70% livestock manure and 30-40% renewable raw materials and agricultural by-products.
At full operation, the plant will create approximately 10 direct jobs in operations and back office, around 20 direct and indirect positions with service providers in logistics, maintenance, laboratories and assessment, plus employment opportunities across roughly 80 agricultural businesses supplying feedstock.
Jörg Lennertz, CEO of VORN Bioenergy, said: "The biomethane plant in Ferrara marks an important milestone in VORN's growth path in Europe as it is our ambition to leverage the potential of biomethane in order to drive the energy change towards a greener and sustainable future."
Andrea Diamanti, CEO and Head of Wholesale Banking at ING Italia, commented: "This financing confirms ING's leadership role in supporting the energy transition in Italy. The transaction is fully in line with our 'Growing the Difference' strategy, which places sustainability at the heart of all our activities."
VORN will operate the plant directly and is currently working on further projects in Italy, supported by the PNRR and the Biomethane Decree. The company aims to produce 2 TWh of biomethane per year by 2030.
Partners involved in the project include Ashurst, Linklaters, KPMG Italy, Ramboll and AMP Energy.
VORN Bioenergy secures financing for first Italian biomethane plant
