By Allan Gerlat, Waste 360.

Two alternative energy companies now are teaming with Smithfield Foods to convert gas from animal waste into renewable energy.

Kennesaw, Ga.-based ABUTEC and Roeslein Alternative Energy, St. Louis, are partnering with Smithfield Foods Missouri to trap the biogas released from Smithfield’s manure lagoons and store it for energy production, according to a news release. Food producer Smithfield houses nearly two million pigs through nine facilities, and they produce enough manure to make 2.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas.