Energy for the garden maintenance industry

Wood energy for the garden maintenance industry

The companies Biotta AG and Rathgeb Bio have maintained a cooperative partnership for years. Since September 2019, the two companies have also been jointly operating a wood heating center.

For 65 years, Biotta has stood for a colorful range of vegetable and fruit juices - 100% natural, 100% organic. With every bottle of Biotta juice, a piece of tasty nature is sent out into the world. Close cooperation with regional organic farmers is an integral part of the holistic
part of the company's holistic philosophy. One of these partners is Rathgeb Bio. The company is run by the third generation and has developed from a simple family business into a leading supplier of organic products. Today, Rathgeb produces over sixty different varieties of vegetables and potatoes.

State-of-the-art condensing steam heating plant in Tägerwilen

The Rathgeb company operates various greenhouses in Tägerwilen, right next to Biotta AG, which has its headquarters in Tägerwilen. Four years before project realization, the neighboring companies talk for the first time about the possibility of a joint heating center. A feasibility study for a heating center including steam generation for process heat is commissioned. External energy experts address the energy-related questions and come to the conclusion that a wood-fired heating system with a high utilization rate throughout the year is the best possible fossil-free option. After a long planning phase, the plant was commissioned in September 2019. Markus Gschwandtner, CFO Biotta: "The Schmid company advised us competently at all times in this demanding project and enjoys our full confidence". Christian Rathgeb, Managing Director at Rathgeb, concurs with this opinion: "Thanks to the extraordinarily competent and committed project team of Schmid AG, the wood combustion plant could be successfully realized". 

Heat and process steam with maximum efficiency

A highly efficient Schmid UTSR-2400.42 moving grate furnace is installed with a Denox combustion chamber for additional reduction of NOx values.
the NOX values. The plant supplies 3.4 tons of steam per hour and an additional 600 kW of heat from the condensing unit. The wood combustion plant permanently supplies Biotta AG with process steam for production (processing vegetables including decanter for juice extraction,
pasteurization and filling of the juices) as well as heat for the office and production facilities. At Rathgeb, keeping the plants frost-free in winter and healthy in summer is of central importance, which is ensured by the climate control of the greenhouses.