Analytical Expertise for Substrates and Digestate
Biogas substrates vary widely — from silages and manures to food by-products and organic wastes.
LITOLAB offers a comprehensive analytical portfolio to assess both biogas potential and fertiliser value, helping operators understand substrate quality, diagnose process issues and document digestate quality for authorities and landowners.
Characterisation of Input Substrates
We analyse dry matter, organic dry matter, nutrients and fermentation-related components to evaluate suitability and expected biogas yield. This includes silages (maize, grass, mixed crops), manures, slurries and a wide range of organic by-products.
Digestate Quality and Agronomic Value
For digestate (fermentate), we determine dry matter, nutrients (including ammonium nitrogen), stability indicators and selected contaminants. These values indicate suitability for land application, compliance with regulations and fertiliser value for crops.
Contaminants and Safety Parameters
Where necessary, we assess metals, selected organic pollutants and other parameters relevant to regulatory pathways (fertiliser vs. waste status).
Process Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Targeted testing allows operators to identify imbalances, detect inhibitory substances and verify whether operational changes improve fermentation stability.
Contaminant Screening
Where required, we test for heavy metals and other undesirable substances to ensure compliance with national and EU feed legislation.
Who Depends on Our Biogas Analyses
Our services support:
- Agricultural biogas plants
- Biogas and biomethane facilities using mixed feedstocks
- Operators processing manure, energy crops or food by-products
- Consultants designing or optimising biogas plants
- Fertiliser producers working with digestate-based materials
- Environmental and engineering consultancies
Typical Needs and Situations
Clients usually contact us when:
- New substrates must be evaluated before use
- Digestate quality needs to be documented for land application
- Process instability or reduced gas yield must be diagnosed
- Authorities require accredited reports for permits or inspections
- Waste vs. fertiliser classification must be clarified
Legislative Framework for Digestate and Substrates
Regulatory requirements differ depending on whether digestate is used as a fertiliser or handled as waste.
Our analyses are aligned with:
Fertilizer Act – Act No. 156/1998 Coll.
Decree No. 474/2000 Coll. – nutrient and contaminant criteria for fertilisers
Waste Act – Act No. 541/2020 Coll.
Decree No. 273/2021 Coll. – criteria for waste materials, including biodegradable waste
Decree No. 437/2016 Coll. – criteria for materials applied to agricultural land (applied analogously where required by authorities)
We can prepare result summaries that map analytical outcomes directly to the relevant legal pathways.
Practical Applications in Biogas Production
Biogas operators rely on LITOLAB when making decisions about substrate selection, plant operation and digestate utilisation. Our analyses help determine whether new or alternative feedstocks are suitable for the digester and whether changes in composition might affect fermentation stability or gas yield. For ongoing production, we provide routine monitoring to assess dry matter, nutrient balance and contamination indicators — essential for maintaining a stable biological process.
When digestate is intended for agricultural use, our accredited reports document compliance with nutrient and contaminant limits, providing assurance for authorities, buyers and landowners. In cases of process disturbance or reduced efficiency, targeted analyses allow us to identify inhibitory substances or imbalances and support operational decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We routinely analyse new feedstocks to evaluate suitability, nutrient content and expected biogas behaviour.
Yes, our accredited analyses align with relevant legislation and are widely accepted for permitting and inspections.