In the rolling hills of West Flanders, the Hanssens-Mostaert family is proving that sustainability, animal welfare, and profitability can go hand in hand. Their pig farm in Heuvelland recently won the 2025 Ivan Tolpe Innovation Award, thanks to an integrated barn concept and a Biolectric pocket digester that turns manure into clean, renewable energy.
Turning a challenge into an opportunity
For years, farmer Bert Hanssens transported his manure off-site for processing. But in 2019, he and his family decided it was time for a change: “We wanted to keep the value of our manure on the farm.” That led them to Biolectric, the market leader in small-scale biogas installations. The result? Belgium’s first on-farm digester that runs on both pig and dairy manure.
The process is as simple as it is effective. Fresh manure is pumped into a heated tank where it’s gently mixed. As the manure breaks down, it produces biogas, which is filtered and used to power two engines. These generate both electricity and heat for the farm — around the clock, with minimal maintenance.
Results you can measure
Every day, the installation processes around 14 tonnes of manure from 1,800 pigs and 120 dairy cows. So far, it has generated more than 1 million kWh of renewable energy. “We produce twice what we use,” Bert says. “We no longer buy electricity, and we even use biogas heat to warm our pig barns. The return on investment? Less than six years.”
The environmental impact is just as impressive. Ammonia emissions have dropped by 60%, greenhouse gases by 82%, and unpleasant odours are down both in the barns and in the fields. The remaining digestate — a nutrient-rich liquid — replaces expensive chemical fertilisers. “The grass picks up nutrients faster and grows better. We see the difference.”
Future-proof barn design
The success isn’t just in the digester. It’s in the barn design too. Built with Vermeulen NV, a Belgian expert in low-emission pig housing, the barn features a gently sloped floor, automated manure removal, and optimal airflow — improving hygiene, air quality, and animal welfare.
“This project shows that new barns can be future-proof from day one,” says Klaas Vanhee, Commercial Director at Biolectric. “It’s thanks to forward-thinking farmers like the Hanssens family that we can demonstrate what’s possible.”
Smart technology, simple operation
The Biolectric pocket digester is designed to be compact, automated, and quick to install — often within three days. It’s monitored remotely via smart software, and Bert keeps an eye on key parameters like temperature and production straight from his phone.
Before installing any system, Biolectric conducts a detailed analysis of the manure’s biogas potential. Based on this, the digester is tailored to the farm’s size and needs.
A growing movement in farming
While pocket digestion initially took off in the dairy sector, pig farmers are increasingly seeing the benefits — especially in times of high energy prices. There are now over 60 systems running in Flanders, with an average capacity of 22 kW.
“We’re now energy-independent,” Bert says. “It gives peace of mind. We don’t know what the future holds for energy prices, but we know we’re in control. We’ve made our farm more efficient, more sustainable, and more resilient.”
