CNH Industrial bullish on farming methane energy, acquires UK's Bennamann

CNH Industrial, the global agricultural and farm equipment major, is expanding 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.

Due to its high energy density, liquefied methane (a natural gas) is much easier to store and efficiently distribute than renewable energy sources such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas. This makes liquefied methane a direct and suitable replacement for fossil fuels in high power applications, even in the most remote locations such as construction sites.

In conjunction with CNH Industrial equipment, Bennamann’s infrastructure delivers a carbon negative system that fully supports a circular economy in farming. The acquisition of Bennamann is aimed at boosting CNH’s leading position and portfolio in alternative fuels for the agriculture industry.

“By consolidating our share in Bennamann, we are offering our customers a full energy production, storage and distribution service,” said Derek Neilson, President Agriculture at CNH Industrial. “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.”

This is CNH's second acquisition this week. On March 13, the company acquired France-based Augmenta to accelerate the growth of its innovative Sense & Act technology, which gives machines selective spraying capabilities which precisely directs and regulates spray volume. Sense & Act tasks are based on sensor-detected data during the spraying process, wherein protection solutions are applied to crops both before and after harvest. 

Focus on sustainable alternative power solutions 

Reducing emissions such as methane and CO2 from biowaste and operations is one of agriculture’s greatest environmental issues. To help farmers meet this challenge, CNH Industrial has been pioneering sustainable alternative power solutions in agriculture for over two decades, including the world’s first tractor running on compressed natural gas – the New Holland T6.180 Methane Power. Alternative fuels and electrification can enhance a farmer’s operational flexibility, efficiency, and even profitability, while dramatically offsetting their carbon footprint.

CNH Industrial’s latest strategic investment furthers its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative by reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture. The company states that its research has found that a 120-cow farm operating its shared methane capture technology can reduce the CO2 equivalent of 100 western European households – about 780 tons annually. CNH has progressed beyond the prototype phase and will install the CNH Industrial-Bennamann solution on multiple farms over the next year. This will start with compressed fugitive methane solutions, moving to liquefied in the future.

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