Industrial gases and services firm Air Liquide announced this week that it will erect the largest biomethane production facility in its network in Rockford, IL. Slated to become operational by the end of 2023, the facility will process biogas sourced from a solid waste treatment plant owned and operated by Waste Connections Inc.

“Biomethane, like hydrogen and CO2 capture technologies, has a prominent place in the portfolio of solutions developed by Air Liquide to fight global warming and preserve the environment,” Émilie Mouren-Renouard, member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, said in a company release Thursday. “The announcement of the construction of our largest biomethane production unit in the world illustrates Air Liquide’s determination to accompany its customers in the industrial and transportation sectors throughout the energy transition, but also to actively contribute to the emergence of a low-carbon society.”

The firm also plans to construct another biomethane production unit in Delavan, WI, which is expected to start up in the second quarter of 2022. Opening the two facilities strengthens Air Liquide’s position in the US biomethane market.

Air Liquide currently operates 21 biomethane production units across its global footprint. The two new facilities will increase its total biomethane capacity from about 1.4 TWh/yr to 1.8 TWh/yr.