Lactalis Spain is advancing its industrial decarbonization strategy with the commissioning of two new biomass plants at its centers in Villarrobledo (Albacete) y Grenade, which will be designed, implemented and operated by Magnon, a company associated with AVEBIOM and a leader in renewable thermal energy solutions using forest and agricultural biomass.
These facilities will replace the use of natural gas with renewable heat and reinforce the role of sustainable biomass as a key tool for defossilizing thermal processes in the agri-food industry.
With a total investment exceeding 12 million euros (6.35 million in Villarrobledo and 6.06 million in Granada) and the support of the PERTE for Industrial Decarbonization, the project will allow Lactalis to significantly reduce both its direct CO₂ emissions (emitted by boilers that use natural gas to generate steam), as well as those derived from the purchase of electricity.
Renewable thermal energy to replace natural gas
Each plant will incorporate a saturated steam boiler of 10 t/ha 16 bar(g) fueled exclusively with certified agroforestry biomass and local. The planned generation is around 40,000 MWh/year per plant, This will allow us to cover the thermal needs of industrial processes and complement the renewable energy already generated by the photovoltaic installations operating in both factories.
The biomass used in the new plants will be certified under the European sustainability scheme SURE, which guarantees its traceability and compliance with the sustainability criteria established by the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). The supply will come primarily from local agroforestry resources. Albacete, Granada and neighboring provinces to reduce the logistical footprint and revitalize the rural environment, generating activity in areas linked to the primary sector.
The project incorporates innovative solutions to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. The management of byproducts (such as ash and slag) will be carried out according to sustainability criteria, and efforts will be made to valorize them as agricultural fertilizer o alternative fuel.
The construction and operation of the facilities will generate around 20 direct and indirect jobs per plant, and its entry into operation is planned for June 2026.
Magnon, technology partner for the agri-food industry
With more than 20 years of experience y 266 MW of installed power with agroforestry biomass, Magnon is capable of implementing renewable heat projects for Spanish industry. The company is already working with numerous companies in the agri-food sector on replacing fossil fuels with sustainable biomass.