Case: Biogas plant processes up to 50 m³ of fruit and vegetables each week

21 September 2026 | VOGELSANG

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LEKABO receives between 20 and 50 m³ of fruit and vegetables for biogas production every week. Varying materials and large deliveries at short notice required a robust grinder with sufficient capacity. A specially designed RedUnit XRL now ensures reliable pre-treatment of the food waste.

Varying food waste required a flexible solution

LEKABO has operated a biogas plant alongside its arable and livestock farming activities since 1998. The plant is certified to receive food waste from supermarkets and restaurants of all sizes.

Fruit and vegetables vary considerably in size, consistency and volume. Before the material can be used in the biogas process, it must be reduced in size and transferred to the plant’s existing reception pit for liquid and fat-rich residual materials.

LEKABO therefore needed an industrial grinder capable of handling both the regular material supply and larger deliveries at short notice.

Specially designed RedUnit XRL

The solution was a RedUnit XRL186-520QD adapted to LEKABO’s existing plant. The grinding system is equipped with a large feed hopper, an integrated mixer and a control system.

The RedUnit XRL grinder is installed directly above the reception pit. Here, the fruit and vegetables are reduced in size before being transferred to the next stage of the process. This position allows the system to be integrated directly and easily into the existing plant.

Its high capacity enables LEKABO to process the usual weekly volumes of 20–50 m³ while also accommodating larger deliveries when required.

Monolithic rotors increase operational reliability

The RedUnit XRL grinder features monolithic rotors instead of cutting tools assembled from individual blades. Its robust design provides high resistance to foreign matter and makes the grinder suitable for demanding organic materials.

The design contributes to a stable process and long service life. The QuickService concept also provides easy access to the main components, allowing service and maintenance to be completed efficiently with minimal impact on operations.

Results at LEKABO:

Reliable processing of 20–50 m³ of fruit and vegetables per week
Capacity to handle large deliveries at short notice
Efficient pre-treatment of food waste for biogas production
Direct integration above the existing reception pit
Robust design with monolithic rotors
High resistance to foreign matter
Easy maintenance with the QuickService concept
High uptime and a stable process

Visit Vogelsang at Agromek 2026 in Hall K, Stand K8000, and learn more about the RedUnit grinding system and Vogelsang’s solutions for the pre-treatment of biomass and organic waste.