The FINANCIAL -- Crédit Agricole Private Equity is to invest in Methaneo, a company that develops methanisation units, via its FCPR Capenergie fund, alongside Demeter Partners via its FCPR Demeter 2 fund. The two shareholders will invest €1.5 million each.

Created in 2007 by biogas sector and sustainable development experts Yann Mercier and Sébastien Couzy, Methaneo specialises in the development of collective methanisation projects using biomass from agricultural and food waste.

Methanisation entails the fermentation of organic matter, which produces energy thanks to the methane-rich biogas created by the procedure. This energy is then transformed into electricity that is sold to the EDF grid at a price guaranteed for 15 years.

The company focuses on "territorial" methanisation projects. The uniqueness of this kind of facility lies in the fact that it brings together a number of local partners, namely biomass suppliers and heat reclaimers (manufacturers, farmers and public authorities), whereas individual methanisation at farms generally involves just one operator. This unique attribute favours economies of scale and improved heat recovery.

From finding deposits to carrying out projects, the company’s aim is to become a green electrical and thermal energy producer and to establish itself as a key player in territorial development.

Yann Mercier, Chairman of Methaneo, comments: "This partnership will enable us to strengthen our operational structure and to convince local operators of the relevance of our approach."

Serge Savasta, Head of Renewable Energy at Crédit Agricole Private Equity, states: "We are delighted to work with this pioneering young French company in the agricultural methanisation sector. Methaneo benefits from an experienced management team with extensive knowledge of the field and which has already proven itself, for example by winning its first major project in competition with major energy companies."

Stéphane Villecroze, Partner at Demeter Partners, adds: "We firmly believe in the advantages and growth potential of methanisation, from the viewpoint of both decentralised energy production and waste management. Methaneo’s strategy and its ability to form partnerships with local operators are particularly relevant."

Having already made investments in wind energy, hydroelectricity and solar energy, this marks the Capenergie fund’s first investment in the solid biomass sector.

Methaneo is the first investment for the FCPR Demeter 2 fund. The first FCPR Demeter fund is fully invested in 22 companies.

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