MMA Leads Push for Biodigester Expansion as Smart, Cost-Saving Solution for Michigan Manufacturers

This article appeared in the August 2025 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

MMA is championing the expansion of anaerobic biodigesters as a powerful tool to cut costs, improve resource efficiency and strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing sector. As part of our ongoing leadership in promoting practical, market-driven innovations, we are calling for regulatory modernization that will help unlock the full potential of this proven technology.

Biodigesters convert organic waste into usable energy through anaerobic digestion, capturing methane and heat from the natural breakdown of materials such as food byproducts, animal waste and other organic inputs. Once viewed as a costly disposal challenge, these materials are now fueling on-site energy production, reducing landfill fees, lowering wastewater treatment needs and opening new revenue streams. The resulting digestate, a nutrient-rich byproduct, can also be used as a natural fertilizer, reducing reliance on synthetic alternatives and offering added value to farms and food processors.

MMA has long championed beneficial reuse practices that keep materials in productive use and reduce operational costs for Michigan manufacturers. Expanding the use of biodigesters is a commonsense solution that strengthens our industrial base while advancing environmental and economic goals.

As a leader in statewide policy discussions, MMA is actively engaged in the Michigan Biodigester Workgroup, collaborating monthly with industry stakeholders, academic experts and environmental advocates to inform state legislators and regulators. This collaborative effort is driving awareness of the economic and operational benefits of anaerobic biodigesters, particularly their growing role in the food manufacturing, agricultural and wastewater sectors.

A key opportunity for Michigan lies in enabling the co-mingling of feedstocks from multiple sources. This practice increases the consistency and volume of inputs, enhancing energy generation and making facilities more efficient and profitable. However, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) currently classifies co-mingled digestate as industrial waste. This designation imposes added cost, increases permitting burdens and creates regulatory uncertainty, all of which make it more difficult for facilities to adopt and scale biodigester technology.

MMA is leading efforts to remove EGLE’s regulatory barriers, working with lawmakers on House Bills 4257 and 4265, a bipartisan effort with Representatives Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) which would regulate digestate under agricultural standards. With MMA’s support, the bills passed the House with broad bipartisan backing, marking an important step toward a regulatory framework that encourages innovation, investment and long-term growth.

MMA’s advocacy does not stop there. We will continue to lead on this issue in the Senate, working to ensure manufacturers have access to cost-effective, sustainable tools that improve competitiveness and resilience. From policy advocacy to technical education, MMA remains a vocal champion for solutions that keep Michigan manufacturers ahead of the curve.

Manufacturers have long been problem solvers and are increasingly pushing forward as solution creators by developing and adopting technologies that drive growth and improve efficiency. Biodigester technology is a clear example of how manufacturers are transforming waste challenges into practical and profitable solutions. MMA is proud to lead the charge in advancing this transformative solution.