CNH Industrial 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. In conjunction with CNH Industrial equipment, Bennamann’s infrastructure delivers a carbon negative system that fully supports a circular economy in farming. This move boosts our leading position and portfolio in alternative fuels for the agriculture industry.
By consolidating its share in Bennamann, CNH Industrial is offering customers a full energy production, storage and distribution service. This solution can transform farms into mini energy hubs that can satisfy their own energy needs, produce their own natural fertiliser and sell any excess gas on the open market. It also enables them to generate their own electricity. This makes CNH Industrial a true alternative energy enabler, able to serve myriad applications and contribute to a carbon negative future, informs 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. 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.
This strategic investment furthers CNH’s commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative by reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture. The company plans to 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.
Why Liquefied Fugitive Methane?
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.