A Benton County company has received a $469,000 state grant to advance its research and development of a new means to generate renewable natural gas from carbon dioxide. 

Clean-Vantage was one of seven companies around the state to receive $2.4 million from the state Department of Commerce’s Industrial Symbiosis Grant Program, according to a release. The program funds research and development, feasibility studies, engineering and design, pilot projects, deployment, scaling, and the development of industrial symbiosis parks. 

“Washington’s competitive edges comes from our ability to innovate,” said Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne. “Industrial symbiosis helps us rethink how we use resources and how we can grow our economy. By supporting businesses turning waste into resources, we can create opportunities for stronger local economies and communities.” 

Clean-Vantage specifically is developing a biological means to convert the carbon dioxide emitted by wet organic waste into high grade renewable natural gas by combining it with molecular hydrogen. 

Industrial symbiosis, where technology converts biowaste to a renewable resource or reuses its waste heat to support other manufacturing or industrial processes, has come to the forefront in recent months in Washington state and the Tri-Cities. The Port of Pasco has studied the concept for years and is currently working toward developing an industrial symbiosis park.