(R) Bag dunnage bags become biogas backpacks

A simple idea makes life easier in developing countries

Katrin Pütz from the Westerwald region of Germany focused on the production of biogas during her agricultural engineering studies at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. She worked on a technically simple solution for producing and transporting biogas in order to make it marketable in developing countries. Its aim is to offer people from countries with underdeveloped energy infrastructures an opportunity to escape energy insecurity independently and without development aid. Their idea to solve the energy problem in developing countries is simple:

“Make biogas mobile, because if it is easy to transport, you can sell it and become independent of financial aid through your own income!”

A backpack that creates opportunities.

The principle for producing biogas is simple. Together with water, kitchen waste and livestock are turned into manure – biogas. You will need a barrel, a few pipes, a tarpaulin and a large plastic bag. Their specially developed rucksack is designed to enable the locals to carry the biogas home for cooking.

In her search for a producer for the biogas backpack, Katrin Pütz becomes aware of our company in Aub, Lower Franconia. At Rothschenk, we have been developing and producing load securing systems since 1996. Our fully recyclable (R) bag dunnage bags, with an outer skin made of coated polypropylene tape fabric and an inliner made of polyethylene film, are used to fill cavities and gaps when transporting loads. In Katrin Pütz’s concept, they become biogas backpacks and are to be produced in our company. We are enthusiastic about her idea and her unprecedented commitment and decide to support her and her Social Business (B)energy to support them.

A lot has happened since the presentation in Aub

• Katrin Pütz is honored for her invention in 2013 with the “empowering people. Award” from the Siemens Stiftung for her invention
• The biogas backpack is certified by TÜV.
• Since 2014, (B)energy has been offering franchisees the opportunity to sell (B)energy biogas technology locally in their country. Interested locals can purchase a mobile biogas plant through these channels and use the biogas produced themselves or sell it in backpacks in their region.

Katrin Pütz has achieved a lot with her biogas rucksack idea. In a simple way, locals in developing countries gain access to a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy.

• They no longer have to prepare their meals over an open fire in closed rooms and breathe in unhealthy smoke.
• Firewood no longer has to be laboriously collected or purchased for expensive money.
• The tree population in the forests is protected, as less wood is needed immediately and is cleared accordingly.
• People in developing countries no longer have to wait to be helped. Mobile biogas technology, which is accessible and affordable through franchisees in more and more countries, enables them to help themselves.

Nevertheless, the agricultural engineer does not want to stand still and is always open to ideas and the exchange of ideas in order to further develop the (B)energy company. For example, you can get involved as a (B)angel and, depending on your skills or expertise, contribute directly to the company. You can find more information here.

Rothschenk will continue to support Katrin Pütz and the social business (B)energy in the future. We hope that even more people will benefit from this invention and will continue to tell the story of the biogas rucksack here.