Synthica Energy Receives Air Quality Permit For San Antonio Anaerobic Digestion Facility

Synthica Energy (synthica), a developer of anaerobic digestion facilities that convert organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG), has received an Air Quality Permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for its new facility in San Antonio, Texas. The new facility will divert up to 250,000 tons (226,796 tonnes) of industrial organic waste each year when completed. The permit paves the way for Synthica to break ground at the site in Q3 2024.

Synthica is currently working with manufacturers across Greater San Antonio on contracts to handle their organic waste feedstocks, including everything from food and beverage manufacturing byproducts and expired/damaged produce to spent yeast, expired beer, and other depackaged beverage products.

The anaerobic digester like the one being built in San Antonio will use time-tested technology that transforms waste into renewable energy. Synthica has already broken ground on its flagship location in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is developing similar facilities in a dozen other markets, including San Antonio, Houston, Atlanta, and Louisville.

“Demand for a facility like this is significant across the San Antonio region,” said Grant Gibson, co-founder and chief development officer at Synthica Energy. “Despite being home to hundreds of manufacturers, there are currently no anaerobic digestion plants within 50 miles (80.5 km) of downtown San Antonio. That means operating a food and beverage manufacturing plant in this region is more expensive than other markets because of the increased cost of hauling away and disposing of byproducts. Combine that cost savings with the environmental impact of anaerobic digestion and the new production of RNG, and this solution is a win for manufacturers, for the Bexar County community and for the environment.”