Brazil's Green Revolution: From Landfill Waste to Clean Energy Powerhouse

JABOATÃO DOS GUARARAPES, BRAZIL – March 27, 2026 – A landmark project in Brazil's push for a sustainable future was inaugurated today, transforming the daily waste of millions into a valuable source of clean energy. Orizon Valorização de Resíduos S.A., a leader in Brazil's circular economy, officially opened its new biomethane plant at the Ecoparque Jaboatão in Pernambuco, a strategic asset poised to reshape the region's energy landscape.

The R$258 million (C$62 million) facility, financed by Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB), features a state-of-the-art biogas upgrading system supplied by Canadian cleantech firm Greenlane Renewables. The inauguration drew high-level officials, including Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, and the Governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra, signaling the project's national importance.

This plant is not just a new piece of infrastructure; it represents a powerful convergence of waste management, energy production, and decarbonization. It is designed to produce 110,000 cubic meters of biomethane per day—a 100% renewable fuel—by purifying biogas captured from the decomposition of 3,500 tonnes of municipal waste. This clean gas will be injected directly into the local Copergás pipeline, providing a sustainable energy source for homes and industries.

A Strategic Bet on Brazil's Green Future

The Jaboatão plant opens at a pivotal moment for Brazil's energy sector. The nation is aggressively pursuing decarbonization through ambitious policies designed to foster a thriving market for renewable gases. This project directly aligns with the country's recently established "Future Fuels Law" and the "Zero Methane" program, which set mandatory targets for biomethane use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the natural gas sector.

Starting in 2026, natural gas producers and importers must meet a 1% GHG emission reduction target, a figure expected to climb in the coming years. The primary mechanism for compliance is the purchase of Biomethane Guarantee of Origin Certificates (CGOBs), creating a strong, market-driven demand for the very product Orizon's new plant will produce. With national projections estimating Brazil has the potential to produce 120 million cubic meters of biomethane daily by 2030—enough to replace nearly a third of its fossil gas consumption—the economic and environmental upside is immense.

"The inauguration of the biomethane plant at Ecoparque Jaboatão marks a milestone for the sustainable development of Pernambuco and Brazil, expanding the availability of competitive and sustainable energy solutions in the country," said Milton Pilão, CEO of Orizon. "With this new unit, we are increasing biomethane production with reliability, predictability, and industrial-scale capacity."

The Ecopark Model: More Than Just a Landfill

The Ecoparque Jaboatão is a testament to Orizon's integrated approach, which redefines waste as a resource. The 1.1 million square meter site receives waste from 2.5 million people across five municipalities, including Recife and Jaboatão dos Guararapes. Instead of simply being buried, this waste is now the feedstock for a multi-faceted resource recovery operation.

At the heart of the facility is the largest Mechanical Sorting Unit in Latin America, which recovers over 20 types of recyclable materials like plastics, metals, and paper. The ecopark also produces refuse-derived fuel (RDF) as a sustainable alternative to petroleum coke and already operates a 28.5 MW thermoelectric plant that converts biogas into electricity.

The new biomethane plant represents the next evolution of this model. By capturing and purifying biogas that would otherwise be flared or escape into the atmosphere, it turns a potent greenhouse gas into a high-value, pipeline-ready commodity. Before the official ceremony, visiting dignitaries toured the facilities and the headquarters of the Instituto Orizon Social, the company's non-profit arm focused on local environmental education and sustainable development, underscoring the project's commitment to community integration.

Canadian Technology Powering a Global Transition

Bringing this ambitious project to life required world-class technology, which Orizon found in its Canadian partner, Greenlane Renewables. With over 35 years of experience and more than 500 systems sold in 32 countries, Greenlane is a global leader in transforming raw biogas into purified renewable natural gas (RNG).

The system installed at Ecoparque Jaboatão is a complete biogas upgrading solution that removes impurities like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, ensuring the final biomethane product meets the stringent quality standards for pipeline injection. Greenlane's ability to offer multiple proven technologies—including water wash, pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and membrane separation—allows it to tailor solutions for maximum efficiency and economic return.

"It has been an absolute delight for Greenlane to collaborate with Orizon on this flagship biomethane project... which represents a critical piece of infrastructure providing low-carbon energy to the local community," said Brad Douville, Chief Executive Officer of Greenlane. "This was a large and complex project built on the strength of Greenlane's proven track record and deep base of experience."

From Waste Stream to Mainstream Energy

The plant's most significant advantage is its ability to provide a stable, non-seasonal supply of energy. Unlike solar or wind, which are intermittent, the steady decomposition of organic waste in the landfill guarantees a continuous flow of biogas, ensuring the biomethane plant can operate around the clock. This reliability is crucial for industrial clients looking to secure a predictable energy source to meet their decarbonization goals without compromising operational performance.

The strategic location of the ecopark near major urban centers also allows the biomethane to be efficiently distributed through the existing Copergás gas grid, eliminating the need for costly new infrastructure. This plug-and-play capability is a key benefit that accelerates the fuel's adoption.

Looking ahead, Orizon is already exploring the implementation of liquefaction systems. This would allow the company to produce liquefied biomethane, which could be transported by truck to serve customers and heavy-duty vehicle fleets in regions not connected to the gas pipeline, dramatically expanding the fuel's reach across Brazil and furthering the nation's journey toward energy independence and a circular economy.