UGN Umwelttechnik Launches Advanced Biogas Desulfurization Technology in California, Expanding North American Presence

San Luis Obispo, Calif./ Gera, Germany, April 10, 2026 – UGN-Umwelttechnik GmbH, in partnership with its North American distributor Green Gas Services LLC, has introduced its advanced gas desulfurization and odour control technology at a public industry event in San Luis Obispo, California.

Supported by the Renewable Energy Solutions (RES) program under the German government’s Energy Export Initiative, the event brought together experts from municipalities, the biogas sector, mechanical engineering and project development. Representatives from the German Consulate General in Los Angeles also attended.

Held at the historic Octagon Barn, the event offered attendees an in-depth look at UgnCleanPellets® — a biologically and chemically active filter material designed to remove hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from biogas and convert it into elemental sulfur. The technology improves gas purification efficiency while helping reduce emissions, energy consumption and operating costs.

German Innovation Targets Global Biogas Challenges

Biogas is widely considered a cornerstone of the global energy transition because it is renewable, versatile and storable. However, high levels of hydrogen sulfide in raw gas pose major technical challenges for plant operators, including corrosion, pollutant emissions and foul odours.

UgnCleanPellets® address these challenges through a highly efficient filtration process that removes H₂S completely while converting it into elemental sulfur. Unlike activated carbon — whose production generates 10 to 15 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents per ton — UgnCleanPellets® are nearly carbon-neutral. The material can also treat raw, warm and humid biogas directly, eliminating the need for upstream gas drying and improving overall plant efficiency.

Reference Project in San Luis Obispo

At the Kompogas facility in San Luis Obispo, operated by Kanadevia Inova, approximately eleven metric tons of UgnCleanPellets® were deployed in 2017. The plant processes around 425 Nm³/h of biogas with hydrogen sulfide concentrations ranging from 400 to 600 ppm.

The supplied filter material is expected to last at least 24 months. Its use is projected to save at least 34 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents annually, along with energy savings of approximately 40% to 60% in gas cooling and drying due to reduced moisture content in the treated gas.

The event also marked the official launch of the partnership between UGN Umwelttechnik and Green Gas Services, established in 2025. Green Gas Services serves as the exclusive distributor of UgnCleanPellets® in North America and complements the product with engineering, system integration, service and operational optimization.

Following the technical program, participants toured the Kompogas facility to see the technology in operation and review real-world performance data. Attendees included prospective customers and operators of biogas and renewable natural gas plants, executives from UGN Umwelttechnik — part of the Rietzler Gruppe — and Green Gas Services, as well as representatives from Kanadevia Inova and dena.

Hands-on insight: Participants of the technical event tour the Kompogas biogas facility in San Luis Obispo. (© UGN Umwelttechnik GmbH)

About UGN-Umwelttechnik

UGN Umwelttechnik GmbH, based in Gera, Germany, is an international leader in the development and production of filter materials for odor control and gas purification systems. For more than 20 years, the company has specialized in air pollution control, biogas desulfurization, and innovative environmental technologies made in Germany.

About Green Gas Services

Green Gas Services, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is North America’s leading provider of integrated solutions for biogas upgrading and treatment. The company offers engineering, system design, manufacturing, and services and serves as the exclusive North American distributor of UgnCleanPellets®.

German Energy Agency (dena)

The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protection. dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its foundation in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholder is the Federal Republic of Germany. www.dena.de/en/   

German Energy Solutions Initiative 

With the aim of positioning German technologies and know-how worldwide, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) supports suppliers of climate-friendly energy solutions in opening up foreign markets. The focus lies on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and storage, as well as technologies such as power-to-gas and fuel cells. Aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises, the German Energy Solutions Initiative supports participants through measures to prepare market entry as well as to prospect, develop and secure new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/GES/Navigation/EN/Home/home.html  

Renewable Energy Solutions Programme (RES Programme)

With the RES programme, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) helps German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany. www.german-energy-solutions.de/GES/Redaktion/EN/Basepages/Services/dena-res.html  

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative.

Get more insights like this in the Biogas Community Magazine – Europe Edition 2026