Biogas and its upgraded form, biomethane, are at the forefront of Europe’s shift toward renewable, circular, and locally produced energy. As decarbonization accelerates, these bio-based gases are becoming key enablers of energy security, agricultural valorization, and industrial transformation.
What is Biogas and Biomethane?
Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion, a process where microorganisms break down organic matter – such as agricultural residues, food waste, sewage sludge, and industrial organics – into a gas mixture typically containing ~60% methane (CH₄) and ~40% carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Biomethane is upgraded biogas: the CO₂ and impurities are removed to make it chemically identical to natural gas. This allows biomethane to be directly injected into existing gas grids and used across sectors – without the need for new infrastructure.
Applications Across Europe
- Biogas is commonly used on-site for electricity and heat generation.
- Biomethane can replace fossil natural gas in:
- Residential and industrial heating
- Power generation
- Transportation (as bio-CNG or bio-LNG)
- Petrochemical processes
The average biomethane plant in Europe produces 43 GWh/year, enough to:
- Power 3,700 households
- Fuel 100 bio-LNG trucks
- Save 20,000 tons of CO₂
- Support 60 green jobs
Market Trends and Forecast
According to the European Biogas Association (EBA):
- 22 bcm of biogases were produced in Europe in 2023 – equivalent to the gas consumption of Belgium, Denmark, and Ireland combined.
- Biomethane production grew by 18–21% year-on-year and continues to scale fast.
- By 2030, Europe could exceed the 35 bcm biomethane target of REPowerEU.
- By 2040, biomethane could cover up to 85% of the EU’s reduced gas demandDecoding-Biogases-2025_….
More insights can be found in the EBA’s Decoding Biogases 2025 report.
Feedstocks and Quality Parameters
Modern plants prioritize non-food, sustainable feedstocks:
- Agricultural residues
- Organic municipal waste
- Sewage sludge
- Industrial organic waste
A critical quality metric is BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) – the amount of methane that can be produced per unit of biomass. High-BMP feedstocks ensure higher yield, efficiency, and profitability. Feedstock selection also affects digestate quality (a co-product used as organic fertiliser) and overall carbon intensity of the final gas.
Biogases are more than a clean energy source – they are central to waste valorization, soil restoration, and the energy-food nexus.
If you are sourcing raw materials for biomethane production, contact Prime Elements – your partner for traceable, sustainable, and efficient feedstock supply across Europe.
