The company intends to implement around 10 projects as part of the programme, including constructing several biogas production complexes, solar energy stations and waste recycling plants, according to an Interfax report.

The first project – a biogas production complex in the Dnipropetrovsk region – will be completed within a year and will cost around $13 million, according to the company.

The estimated payback period is three and a half to four years.

The complex’s capacity will total 11 mcm per year – or 3MW of electricity and 3.5Mw of thermal energy – which will be enough to cover the needs of the company’s poultry farm located in the region.

Similar projects will be implemented on the company’s other assets in Crimea, Vinnytsia and Myronivka (Kyiv Oblast).

When the programme is completed, MHP will be able to produce 220 mcm of biogas per year and convert it into 55Mw of electricity and 60Mw of thermal energy.

MHP is also to launch production of organic fertilisers with a total capacity of 500kt per year.

MHP has also announced that it is considering the acquisition of a meat processing plant in Germany.

Kommersant-Ukrayina reported that raw materials for the plant – poultry produced by MHP – would be imported from Ukraine.

The company may also buy assets in other EU countries, such as Italy, Slovakia and France.

The project will cost MHP €100-150 million, according to company’s major shareholder Yuriy Kosiuk.

Mr Kosiuk also announced that MHP is ready to sell its poultry to the EU in the coming months and is waiting to obtain permission to export 20kt.