Bioerdgas Hallertau GmbH, a subsidiary of E.ON Bioerdgas GmbH and HVG Hopfenverwertungsgenossenschaft e.G., has been operating Germany’s first large-scale biogas plant for the energy production from hop vine chips since 2012. The feedstock is supplied by more than 140 farmers from the Hallertau region, Europe’s largest hop-growing area. The biogas plant has a capacity of 95 GWh, corresponding to the thermal energy demand of approximately 6,700 households.
On February 19th, 2026, the company had to file for insolvency with the Ingolstadt Local Court due to debt overhang and a lack of going concern assumption basis. Attorney Oliver Schartl, from the law firm Müller-Heydenreich Bierbach & Kollegen, was appointed as provisional insolvency administrator. Together with the management, Mr. Schartl successfully managed to keep the business running in order to launch a structured, international investor process on March 13th, 2026. Following an intensive bidding process, VORN Bioenergy GmbH submitted the most compelling offer and acquired the business operations of Bioerdgas Hallertau GmbH effective May 20th, 2026, after a process duration of only about 9 weeks. This transaction has created a sustainable and forward-looking perspective for the continued operation of the facility, bringing further added value to the region.
“The production of biogas from hop residues in the Hallertau region is unique worldwide and represents a meaningful and valuable addition to hop cultivation. With VORN Bioenergy as a leading biogas producer, hop farming, energy generation and sustainability are being combined in an impressive way,” says Dr. Erich Lehmair, CEO of HVG.
With this acquisition, VORN Bioenergy will significantly expand its portfolio in the biogas sector. “With the acquisition of the Hallertau biogas plant, we are not only continuing our ambitious growth trajectory, but the plant also fits perfectly into our portfolio focused on strategic partnerships,” says CEO Jörg Lennertz.
“The goal was to swiftly realize the transfer of Bioerdgas Hallertau’s operational business, secure the region’s long-term supply of local biogas, and achieve the best possible outcome for the creditors. We achieved this goal within two months, with IMAP providing professional and dedicated support throughout this highly complex M&A process,” states Mr. Schartl.
The IMAP team, consisting of Nicolas Bächstädt, Alexander Köhler, Nikolaya Stoilova, and Pauline Wohlleben, exclusively advised Bioerdgas Hallertau throughout all phases of a structured M&A process until its successful closing.
