PurposeEnergy has commissioned a $40 million industrial food waste and wastewater pre-treatment facility in Minster, Ohio, that converts residuals from Danone USA’s largest U.S. yogurt manufacturing facility into renewable energy, clean water and fertilizer. The facility is designed to process up to 250,000 gallons per day, and it also takes material from other regional food and beverage producers. It is PurposeEnergy’s first project with Danone.
Wastewater and high-strength organic residuals are piped directly from the Danone plant to the facility, located in the Route 66 Industrial Park. The site produces renewable biogas, water treated to municipal discharge standards and nutrient-rich soil amendments.
At full operation, the facility is expected to produce about 50,000 MMBtu of renewable biogas a year. That biogas is piped to a dedicated boiler at Danone’s Minster plant, where it displaces conventional natural gas. Using standard EPA and EIA combustion emission factors, PurposeEnergy estimates this is equivalent to displacing approximately 3,200 U.S. tons of CO2e per year. Piping residuals directly from the Danone plant also avoids about 720 U.S. tons of CO2e each year compared with the previous off-site handling route.
Benefits for the Village
Water leaving the facility is treated well above the village’s discharge standards, with surplus nutrients and dissolved solids removed before it reaches the municipal wastewater treatment works. This reduces strain on municipal infrastructure.
“In Minster, sustainability isn’t just a goal for the future; it’s a commitment we build into our infrastructure today,” said Craig Oldiges, Mayor of Minster. “By investing in local, resilient energy and smart growth, we ensure that our village remains self-reliant, vibrant, and prosperous for the next generation as it is for us today.”
“This project is an excellent example of PurposeEnergy’s role in creating circularity benefits for food and beverage manufacturers,” said Eric Fitch, founder and CEO of PurposeEnergy. “Food manufacturers shouldn’t have to choose between growing production and meeting their environmental commitments. With this facility anchored near Danone’s Minster plant, we can give our partner a solution that supports both their goals.”
Heiko Gerling, chief operating officer of Danone Americas, said the facility is “an example of our Danone Impact Journey in action and part of our wider Re-Fuel energy excellence program.” He added that the project “brings together industry, local infrastructure, and community stakeholders around a shared goal.”
The facility is operational and ramping up, with a Grand Opening celebration planned for spring 2027.
