On 15 March 2023, CNH Industrial expanded its alternative fuel capabilities by taking a majority stake in Bennamann – a UK-based expert in solutions to capture, repurpose and store fugitive methane emissions for energy use
In conjunction with CNH Industrial equipment, Bennamann’s infrastructure delivers a carbon negative system that fully supports a circular economy in farming. This move helps boost CNH's leading position and portfolio in alternative fuels for the agriculture industry.
“This solution can transform farms into mini energy hubs that can satisfy their own energy needs, produce their own natural fertilizer and sell any excess gas on the open market. It also enables them to generate their own electricity. This makes us a true alternative energy enabler, able to serve myriad applications and contribute to a carbon negative future,” said Derek Neilson, president agriculture at CNH Industrial.
Reducing emissions such as methane and CO2 from biowaste and operations is one of agriculture’s greatest environmental issues. CNH's relationship with Bennamann began in 2019 when they jointly developed a liquefied natural gas fuel tank for their tractor prototype. In 2021, their Ventures investment arm acquired a minority stake in the business.
On a pilot farm in the UK, their shared technologies are capturing fugitive emissions from farm biowaste – specifically livestock manure slurry – which are then purified into biomethane that is subsequently either compressed or liquefied. Both can be used as vehicle fuel, to generate electricity, and even supply household or farm power, while the byproducts of the conversion process can be used as a natural fertiliser. In total, the system provides energy independence for the farm, reduces input costs, and potentially generates additional revenue streams. This work has also led to the introduction of the world’s first liquefied fugitive methane tractor prototype, the New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG, which is operationally carbon negative when fueled by Bennamann’s system.
This latest strategic investment furthers CNH's commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative by reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture. Research has found that a 120-cow farm operating our shared methane capture technology can reduce the CO2 equivalent of 100 western European households – about 780 tons annually.
Together, both companies have progressed beyond the prototype phase and are planning to install the CNH Industrial-Bennamann solution on multiple farms over the course of next year. This will begin first with compressed fugitive methane solutions, and later move to liquefied in the future.
