Convertus secures $135M to build its planned next-gen waste-to-fuel plant

Convertus Group (Convertus) has announced it has now secured $135 million CAD in funding for its “flagship biofuel facility located in York Region, Ontario.” This plant will convert household food waste into usable methane gas, fertilizer, and bottled liquefied CO₂. Described by Convertus as “state-of-the-art,” the new facility will be able to process around 200,000 tonnes of source-separated organic waste once operational. This, the company explains, should yield between 350,000 and 400,000 gigajoules of renewable natural gas each year. Specific details are not yet publicly available, but the plant will likely operate something as follows. The first step will see food waste arrive from the York Region to the facility. Any plastics and other contaminants will be removed, and the organic waste will likely then be mixed into a pumpable slurry. This slurry will then be stored in large sealed tanks called anaerobic (oxygen-free) digesters. Food waste to renewable natural gas Here, a special cocktail of microbes will feed on the slurry, releasing gases, like methane, as a waste product. This gas will then be purified and concentrated, ready for export to local gas networks as what is termed renewable natural gas (RNG). According to Convertus, the plant should be able to produce enough RNG to heat around 5,000 homes annually once fully operational. But it doesn’t end there for the plant. Any CO₂ will also be purified, compressed, and cooled to create liquid food-grade CO₂. The intention is for it to then be sold for use in food and beverage production and greenhouses. Any remaining nutrient-rich liquid from the digestion process, called digestate, will also be processed into low-grade liquid fertilizer. “This financing represents a major milestone for Convertus and reflects the confidence that PSIC has placed in our business, our team and our long-term vision,” explained Jamie Jongsma, Chief Financial Officer of Convertus Group, in a press release. “We are grateful for PSIC’s partnership and for the expertise and guidance provided by Selkirk Advisory Group throughout the financing process. This facility represents the next generation of anaerobic digestion infrastructure and demonstrates how innovative technologies can transform organic waste into renewable energy and valuable low-carbon products,” he added. Set to be operational by 2027 “The York Biofuel Facility will provide essential environmental infrastructure for York Region and the Greater Toronto Area, adding critical long-term organics processing capacity through a state-of-the-art facility designed with robust operational redundancy. Convertus’ high-caliber team has developed a top-tier project that combines advanced technology with meaningful circular-economy and decarbonization benefits,” said Benjamin Shenwick, Principal at Power Sustainable Infrastructure Credit. This financing reflects our focus on supporting experienced operators developing essential infrastructure with strong underlying economics and measurable environmental benefits. We are pleased to support Convertus as the facility advances toward commercial operations,” he added. According to Convertus, the project is running on schedule, with full commissioning expected to take place sometime in early 2027. “Once operational, the facility will serve as the flagship of Convertus’ growing portfolio of advanced organics infrastructure, demonstrating the company’s ability to deploy leading-edge technologies that transform organic waste into renewable energy and other high-value circular products,” Convertus explains. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Christopher graduated from Cardiff University in 2004 with a Masters Degree in Geology. Since then, he has worked exclusively within the Built Environment, Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Consultancy industries. He is a qualified and accredited Energy Consultant, Green Deal Assessor and Practitioner member of IEMA. Chris’s main interests range from Science and Engineering, Military and Ancient History to Politics and Philosophy.