Knowledge

Biomethane - The green gas with great potential

Biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas or green gas, is a sustainable energy source obtained by processing biological waste and organic materials.It is often used as a high-quality substitute for fossil natural gas and offers a variety of environmentally and climate-friendly applications.

90-120%

GHG savings

~1.000

Biomethane plants in Germany

~10 kWh

per Nm³

>95%

Almost loss-free feed into the gas grid

up to 90%

Emission reduction

TAGLINE

Biomethane - sustainable energy for a greener future

Biomethane is a major player in the energy sector and is playing an increasingly important role in the fight against climate change. As a renewable green gas, it is obtained from various biological sources, including agricultural waste, organic residues and even sewage sludge. Biomethane is produced through a process called anaerobic digestion, in which microorganisms break down the biological materials and produce methane.

The advantages of biomethane are numerous. Firstly, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil natural gas. Biomethane is obtained from renewable raw materials, which leads to a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, biomethane can be fed directly into the existing natural gas grid and used for various purposes.

One of the main applications of biomethane is in decentralized energy generation. Biomethane can be used to generate heat and electricity in households, commercial areas and even industrial plants. It can also be used as a fuel for vehicles, reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector. The use of biomethane also offers the possibility of energy storage and supply, which is particularly advantageous in times of peak loads.

Furthermore, biomethane is an important component of a sustainable circular economy. By recycling biological waste and residual materials, resources are used efficiently and landfill sites are relieved at the same time. It also promotes regional development, as biomethane plants are often operated locally and create local jobs.

Overall, biomethane offers a promising solution for the energy transition. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promotes a sustainable circular economy. With the increasing demand for renewable energy, biomethane is becoming an important part of our greener future.

Explanations on biomethane

What is the difference between biomethane and biogas?

Alongside carbon dioxide and other gases, biomethane is a product of processed biogas.

Biomethane and biogas are two different energy sources that can be obtained from organic materials. To put it simply, biomethane is obtained from biogas through a purification process. This is why biomethane is often equated with biogas. It has the advantage that it has a higher energy density than biogas and can therefore be used more efficiently. In addition, biomethane can be fed into the existing natural gas grid. This means that it can be used in another region and can even be stored in existing natural gas storage facilities.

In summary, biomethane is the methane produced from biogas, which is obtained through additional processing and can be used as a renewable fuel and to generate electricity and heat. The methane content of biogas is between 50-60%.

Renewable

Biomethane is produced from organic waste and renewable raw materials from agricultural, urban or industrial sources. As these materials are constantly renewable or are produced anyway and, unlike fossil fuels, cannot be depleted, biomethane is a renewable energy source.

Climate protection

When biomethane is burned, it only produces as much CO₂ as the source materials have previously absorbed. This makes it significantly more climate-friendly than fossil fuels and also reduces methane emissions from organic waste.

Flexibility

Biomethane can be used in various areas, e.g. as a fuel in transportation, for electricity and heat generation. Like natural gas, it can be transported and used in existing gas networks. It can therefore help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Independence

Biomethane can be produced regardless of the weather. Solar and wind energy can only be produced in appropriate weather conditions.

Circular economy

Biomethane is often produced from organic waste that would otherwise have to be disposed of. Biomethane production allows this waste to be put to good use and creates a closed cycle.

Regionality

Biomethane plants can be operated decentrally as they are built close to the source materials. This saves on transportation routes and costs and creates regional added value.

Job creation

The production of biomethane creates jobs in agriculture, transportation and logistics as well as in the biogas and gas industry.

Local energy supply

Biomethane can be produced locally, which reduces dependence on domestic and foreign energy suppliers.

Economic efficiency

Biomethane can be economically interesting if it is obtained from organic waste and residual materials that are already available in the vicinity. There are also government subsidy programs that support the use of biomethane.

Explanations on biomethane

How is biomethane produced?

Biomethane, also known as renewable methane or bio natural gas, is a sustainable energy source derived from organic materials. It is created through a process called biomethanization, in which biological raw materials are broken down under controlled conditions to produce methane. This article will give you a detailed insight into the creation of biomethane and the steps involved in its production.

Selection of biological raw materials:

The production of biomethane requires biological feedstocks to serve as substrates. Typically, organic materials such as plant biomass, organic waste from agriculture, industry or households are used. These feedstocks can take various forms, including energy crops such as corn, grass, rapeseed or manure, dung as well as waste such as food waste, sewage sludge or biowaste.
Pre-treatment of the raw materials:

Before the raw materials can be fed into the biomethanization process, they must be partially pre-treated to optimize their composition. This can include shredding, drying or fermentation to make the biomass more easily degradable and maximize the yield of methane.
Anaerobic digestion:

The next step is to subject the pre-treated feedstock to anaerobic digestion. This process takes place in special containers known as fermenters or bioreactors. These containers provide optimal conditions for the activity of microorganisms that break down organic materials and produce methane. Anaerobic digestion takes place in an oxygen-free environment, as the microorganisms involved work under anaerobic conditions.
Biogas production:

During anaerobic digestion, organic materials are decomposed by microorganisms. This produces various gases, mainly methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as small quantities of trace gases such as hydrogen (H₂) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). This gas mixture is referred to as biogas and contains around 50-75% methane.
Treatment of the biogas:

The biogas produced must be purified and treated before it can be used as biomethane. In this step, the carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other impurities are removed from the biogas in order to achieve a higher methane content. Treatment can be carried out using various technologies such as absorption, adsorption or membrane separation.
Methane purification:

To further improve the quality of the biomethane, it is often subjected to methane purification. This removes the remaining impurities such as sulphur compounds, moisture and other trace gases.

General

agriportance is a specialized platform for biomethane and LCO₂ and offers sustainable product solutions. We support companies along the entire biomethane value chain – from brokerage and certifications to GHG and mass balance calculations as well as training and consulting. All services are coordinated and available from a single source.
Our services are aimed at companies along the entire biomethane value chain – including biogas plant operators, gas network operators, energy suppliers, industrial companies, traders, as well as companies that want to reduce their GHG emissions, procure biomethane and LCO₂, or implement sustainable product solutions.
Yes. Our services are scalable and tailored individually to the requirements and resources of your company – regardless of company size.

Brokerage of biomethane and LCO₂

We connect producers, traders and buyers of biomethane and LCO₂ and support the entire brokerage process – from initial contact and contract structuring to successful completion.
After an initial needs analysis, we identify suitable suppliers from our network, support negotiations and assist with contractual arrangements. This gives you access to certified biomethane that meets your requirements.
LCO₂ (liquefied CO₂) is produced as a by-product during biogas upgrading and can be used industrially – for example in the food industry, agriculture or technology. The use of LCO₂ contributes to resource efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

GHG accounting

A greenhouse gas balance (GHG balance) records and evaluates all climate-relevant emissions along a process or product – from production to use. It is often a prerequisite for certifications and regulatory compliance.
A GHG balance is required, among other things, if you want to market biomethane as a renewable fuel, pursue sustainability certifications or provide proof within the framework of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II / RED III).
Our GHG calculations are based on the current regulatory requirements of RED III as well as the specifications of the relevant certification systems (REDcert², ISCC, SURE). We document all calculations in a transparent and audit-proof manner.

Sustainability certifications

We support certifications according to the three leading systems in Germany and Europe:
- REDcert – for biomass and biofuels
- ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) – internationally recognized, for various feedstocks and supply chains
- SURE (Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme) – recognized for biofuels and biomass under RED II / RED III
A certification proves that your products or processes meet legal sustainability requirements. It is often a prerequisite for marketing biomethane as a fuel, for accessing funding programs and for counting towards national greenhouse gas reduction quotas.
A gap assessment is a preliminary analysis in which we compare your company’s current status with the requirements of the respective certification system. This allows gaps to be identified early and closed in a targeted manner before the official audit takes place.
The duration depends on your company’s initial situation, the chosen certification system and the certification body. Experience shows that you should plan three to six months for an initial certification. We ensure through structured preparation that the process is as efficient as possible.
We also support you during annual surveillance and recertification – including documentation maintenance, preparation for follow-up audits and ongoing communication with the certification body.

Show all

Mass balancing

Mass balancing is a method for tracking material flows – for example biomethane within a gas network. It ensures that the sustainability characteristics of a product can be documented and transferred along the supply chain without having to physically track quantities directly.
Yes. For the marketing of biomethane as a fuel and for eligibility for greenhouse gas quota accounting, a compliant mass balance according to RED III or the respective certification systems is mandatory.
Yes. We take care of the complete setup, maintenance and documentation of your mass balance system – audit-proof and ready at any time.

Training and consulting

We offer practical training on the following topics:
- fundamentals and functioning of biomethane
- sustainability certifications (REDcert², ISCC, SURE)
- greenhouse gas accounting and mass balancing
- regulatory requirements (RED III, BImSchG, GEG)
- internal audits and certification preparation
Our trainings are aimed at specialists and managers in the fields of energy, sustainability, compliance and procurement – both beginners and experienced professionals who want to update their knowledge.
Yes. In addition to our standard trainings, we provide individual consulting – for example in developing a biomethane strategy, optimizing existing processes or preparing for regulatory changes.
We offer both – digital formats (webinars, online workshops) as well as on-site events at your location or at our premises.