Brussels,9th of April. Task Force 4.1 launches its study “The role of the biomethane industry in satisfying a growing CO₂ demand” during a highly successful webinar, attended by a substantial turnout (around 560 participants).
Over recent months, within Task Force 4, dedicated to identifying best practices for efficient and low-cost biomethane production, subgroup 4.1 has been investigating the biomethane business case optimisation through the valorisation of one of its co-products, biogenic CO₂. The results of the study were presented by Nova Q, the leader of TF4.1, and Common Futures, rapporteur of TF4.1, during a webinar that was successfully attended by a substantial turnout (around 560 participants).
With carbon emissions accelerating, the utilization of biogenic CO₂ provides a crucial means to prevent the accumulation of fossil CO₂ in the atmosphere. Biomethane production is a readily available and cost-competitive source of biogenic CO₂. While biogas typically contains 40% biogenic CO₂, upgrading this biogas to biomethane helps capture this biogenic CO₂, allowing for the offsetting of CO₂ of fossil origin or the storage of biogenic CO₂ via CCS, providing even negative emissions. A such, this process contributes to the decarbonisation of various industries, as biogenic CO₂ serves as a feedstock in sectors such as food and beverage, building materials, biopolymers, e-fuels, and others.
The current market for CO₂ in Europe is approximately 41 Mt/y, supplied almost entirely by industrial production resulting from burning fossil fuels. Even the most conservative estimates for future renewable CO₂ needs show a demand nearly tenfold by 2050. The TF4.1 study indicates the potential of biomethane production to satisfy a significant share of this demand.
The webinar’s presentation of the report was enriched by insights from industry leaders—STX Group, Carbonaide, Nippon Gases, and the Methanol Institute—, sharing their perspectives on the biogenic CO₂ market’s growth trajectory.
Biomethane is a cost-competitive, technology-ready source of renewable biogenic CO₂ with the potential to supply 125 – 215 Mt of the demand in 2050. Opportunities to combine biogenic CO₂ with hydrogen for e-fuels, CCS for negative emissions, and innovative processes for the production of construction products and biopolymers, among others, will provide exciting renewable market opportunities in the future for biomethane producers.
For those who missed the webinar, the recording is now available for review.