At Agroindustrias González, we understand that sustainability is not only about protecting the environment but also about making the most of the resources we produce. A clear example of this is our efficient management of the waste generated by pig farming, where we turn what many see as a problem into valuable resources: methane for heating and biol, a high-value organic fertilizer.
Each kilo of pork we produce generates between 3 and 4 kilos of manure. Far from being a pollutant, this byproduct is transformed into a useful fertilizer through a controlled process. To achieve this, we use a multi-stage anaerobic biodigester. Although the technology itself is not new, our innovative approach optimizes the waste decomposition process.
The biodigester is a closed pool where no air enters, allowing anaerobic bacteria to efficiently break down the manure. This process produces methane, a combustible gas that we use to heat the farrowing units and piglets — a key process to keep them in a warm and comfortable environment. In this way, we harness the full potential of waste without generating negative environmental impact.
But that’s not all. After the decomposition, we obtain biol, a liquid fertilizer that is a true ally for agriculture. When applied in small amounts, it stimulates root growth in plants, as the bacteria release essential nutrients upon contact with the soil. This fertilizer is not only ideal for crops such as coffee or for use on our own farms, but it is also highly valued in flower farms, where it is used to strengthen plants.
The production of biol is constant, with a daily output of between 5 and 10 cubic meters. Thanks to its high concentration, this fertilizer has great commercial value, and we also donate it to neighboring farmers who use it on their pastures and gardens, where it has also proven to be highly effective.
Our farms in Borja and Lago Agrio are designed to be efficient in water use and free from the risk of contamination. Thanks to the structure of the biodigesters, waste does not seep into the rivers but is instead transformed into useful products that benefit both the community and the environment.
The treatment process is continuous and highly controlled. Each day, waste enters the biodigester chambers, and after 15 days of processing, it is converted into biol ready to be used, without a single resource going to waste.
“We are proud that our experience in waste management has become a model for the industry. From our first biodigester, created as a school project, to the refinement of the multi-stage biodigester we use today, we continue to demonstrate that waste should not only be managed but also harnessed to generate value and well-being,” says Jorge González, manager of Agroindustrias González and creator of this system.
With this innovative management, we not only care for the environment but also contribute to the circular economy, transforming the waste from our production into energy and fertilizer that benefit everyone. Because for us, every resource counts!
