The Generation of Biogas and Biomethane at JBS Units in the USA

International Experience | Marcelo Dresch

In an exclusive interview with Portal Energia e Biogas, JBS's Executive Environmental Manager, Marcelo Dresch, shares experiences on the generation of Biogas and Biomethane at Units in the USA.

by Crislaine Flor,

Marcelo Luis Dresch, Executive Environmental Manager at JBS, gave an interview to Portal Energia e Biogas, where he highlighted technological innovations observed during his immersion at the company's units in the United States in August 2024. During his stay, he emphasized the differences in infrastructure, characterized by a focus on plant safety and robustness. However, Marcelo pointed out that Brazil stands out in terms of technology for biogas production, especially with the use of sludge recirculation and mixing systems, which make the biodigesters more efficient.

Marcelo is a master's student in Renewable Energy at UNICAMP and holds postgraduate degrees in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and in Technology Applied to the Biogas Production Chain. With over 20 years of experience in environmental management, he has worked at companies such as LBR-Parmalat and Seara Alimentos, where he implemented environmental management systems and optimized industrial processes to reduce risks and costs.

At JBS, Marcelo leads the environmental management of 37 factories in the Friboi division, focusing on sustainability, environmental licensing, water and wastewater treatment, and reducing CO₂ emissions. His projects include financial returns on waste management, promoting the transformation of by-products into higher value-added goods.

Check out our chat with Marcelo Luis Dresch.

1. Crislaine Flor - During your immersion at JBS units in the United States, what technologies or practices related to the production of biogas and biomethane caught your attention the most? Are there plans to implement or expand these practices in Brazilian units?

Marcelo Luis Dresch - The infrastructure in the United States stands out for being more robust, focusing on safety and well-prepared facilities, especially regarding equipment such as pumps, motors, and pipelines. However, in terms of technology, Brazil is more advanced. The North American units have projects that have been operating for about eight years, but in Brazil, we have integrated the best global solutions, such as recirculation systems, mixing systems, and biotechnology, making them more efficient, which is uncommon in BLC-type biodigesters (covered lagoon digester).

2. Crislaine Flor - What are the main challenges JBS currently faces in implementing biogas and biomethane projects? And what opportunities do you see in this field, especially after your immersion in the USA?

Marcelo Luis Dresch - The main challenge is making biogas more profitable, considering that natural gas (NG) networks are far from the generating sources. Energy generation from biogas has a longer and less attractive payback compared to biomethane production. In my opinion, the best solution at the moment is to explore self-consumption, replacing fossil fuels in transportation and fixed sources.

3. Crislaine Flor - Sustainability Practices in the USA: What were the main sustainability practices observed at JBS units in the United States that you believe can be adapted and applied to operations in Brazil?

Marcelo Luis Dresch - Sustainability practices between operations in the USA and Brazil are quite similar, as JBS is a global company operating in Latin America, North America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. The sustainability and environmental teams maintain constant dialogue about future goals and challenges. For a practice to be considered sustainable, it must last over time, it is essential that it generates revenue, protects the environment, and promotes job creation.

4. Crislaine Flor - Was there any innovation in biogas purification technologies at US units that you consider important for advancing environmental practices globally?

Marcelo Luis Dresch - In the USA, they use PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology to purify biogas into biomethane, while in Brazil we adopt membranes, which I consider a more modern and efficient solution for smaller flows. However, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, as in the United States PSA is being applied in pig farms, and this year the first purification plant will be implemented in slaughterhouses. In Brazil, we have more than a year of operation with membranes, but we need more time for a fair cost-benefit comparison between the two technologies.

5. Crislaine Flor - JBS has ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. How has the visit to US units influenced or reaffirmed the company's strategies to achieve these goals? How does JBS plan to integrate the technologies observed in the USA to meet its global GHG reduction targets?

Marcelo Luis Dresch - The GHG reduction targets are global, but the actions are local. Each business unit, in each country, has already mapped its emissions and defined actions for the coming years. As technologies advance, new projects and opportunities will still arise, making projects increasingly sustainable. This reaffirms that we have a solid and prepared team to meet JBS's commitment to reducing its GHG emissions.