In a significant step towards sustainable energy and agricultural practices, BSOG Energy, a subsidiary of Black Sea Oil & Gas (BSOG), has partnered with Unigrains Trading to develop a state-of-the-art biomethane and biofertilizer production facility.
A Strategic Partnership for Green Energy
BSOG Energy, known for its focus on developing biomethane plants across Romania, and Unigrains Trading, a prominent player in cereal farming with approximately 3,300 hectares of land in Constanta County, have signed a cooperation agreement. The facility aims to produce 57 MW of biomethane and over 250,000 tons of organic fertilizers annually. Under the agreement, Unigrains will supply the raw feedstock waste material needed for the production plant and manage the distribution rights of the resulting fertilizers to wholesale and retail markets. Meanwhile, BSOG Energy will handle the construction, ownership, operation, and management of the biomethane production process.
The total investment in this ambitious project is estimated at over EUR 65 million, with project execution expected to be completed within two years. This initiative highlights the companies’ dedication to innovation.
Leadership Endorsement and Vision
Mark Beacom, Managing Director of BSOG Energy (Credit: BSOG Energy)
Mark Beacom, Managing Director of BSOG Energy, expressed his enthusiasm about the project: “This exciting project represents the signing of the second biomethane plant by BSOG Energy for Romania.” He further noted that global investment firm Carlyle and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, both shareholders of Black Sea Oil & Gas, are fully supportive of this new venture.
Theodor Ichim, CEO of Unigrains Trading and President of FAPPR (Credit: Unigrains Trading)
Theodor Ichim, CEO of Unigrains Trading and President of The Forum of Professional Farmers and Processors of Romania (FAPPR), emphasized the project’s transformative potential: “I consider this project a true sanitation of Romania’s agriculture, efficiently eliminating agricultural waste while acting as a driving force for the growth of the circular economy.”
Building on Success: Previous Initiatives
BSOG Energy’s parent company, Black Sea Oil & Gas, controlled by the private equity firm Carlyle Group, has a proven track record in pioneering energy projects. Notably, it is the developer and majority stakeholder in the Midia Gas Development Project, Romania’s first offshore gas infrastructure initiative in three decades, which covers 12% of Romania’s gas needs. In October 2024, BSOG Energy and DN AGRAR Group, the largest integrated livestock farm in Romania, signed a cooperation agreement to develop the largest biomethane production facility in Romania, with a total capacity of up to 15 MW. This earlier project, with an estimated investment exceeding €30 million, was the first of its kind in Romania.
Unigrains Trading: A Pillar of Agricultural Innovation
Founded in 2003 in Constanta County, Unigrains Trading stands out as one of the main seed producers in southern Romania, producing over 3,000 tons of cereal seeds annually. Additionally, the company manages 500 hectares of organic certified seeds, including wheat, chickpeas, and barley. Since 2012, Unigrains has implemented precision farming techniques, incorporating harvesting maps, fertilization strategies, and annual plot mapping. In 2023, the company transitioned to regenerative agriculture practices, such as No-Till farming and Carbon Capture.
Beyond its core agricultural activities, Unigrains directly imports and distributes chemical and organic fertilizers, operates its own transport fleet, and manages logistics for bulk goods, liquids, and machinery transport. As an active member of APAD and FAPPR professional associations, Unigrains continues to contribute significantly to Romania’s agricultural sector.
Biomethane: A Renewable Energy Solution
Romania currently relies on a mix of gas, coal, hydro, nuclear, and renewable sources for electricity generation. The country has committed to phasing out lignite, or brown coal, as part of its environmental strategy. Biomethane, chemically identical to natural gas, can be injected into existing pipeline grids and is produced through anaerobic digestion—a process where bacteria break down crops and manure. EU regulations classify biomethane as “renewable,” allowing countries and companies to count it as green energy alongside wind and solar power.
BSOG at a Glance
Year founded: 2007 Headquarters: Bucharest, Romania Employees: 87 Revenue: RON 1,454,025,428.00
Unigrains Trading at a Glance
Year founded: 2003 Headquarters: Constanta, Romania Employees: 60 Revenue: RON 68,631,925.00
