Kaleigh Harrison
Key Takeaways
Biomethane is emerging as a secure, low-carbon fuel source amid rising demand for renewable energy and energy resilience.
Gas separation technologies—particularly membrane systems—have become the preferred method for upgrading biogas to pipeline-quality standards.
Material innovations are improving membrane durability, efficiency, and selectivity, expanding deployment into new sectors and geographies.
New applications now include hydrogen purification, post-combustion carbon capture, and natural gas processing.
Modular, chemical-free systems support easier integration, cost savings, and ESG alignment for industrial operators and utilities
How Biomethane Is Powering the Clean Energy Transition
As global demand for secure, low-carbon energy rises, biomethane is emerging as a scalable solution—transforming waste into fuel and helping decarbonize heat, transport, and power. With renewable natural gas (RNG) infrastructure scaling rapidly, gas separation technologies are proving essential for biogas upgrading—positioning themselves as practical tools for utilities, industrial operators, and technology providers navigating the clean energy transition.
Produced via anaerobic digestion of organic waste—such as agricultural residues, food waste, and wastewater—biomethane provides a renewable substitute for conventional natural gas. To meet grid or vehicle fuel standards, biogas must be refined—a process that has increasingly moved toward gas separation technologies, especially membrane-based systems. This shift reflects the demand for cost-effective, modular, and scalable solutions across the energy sector.
At the same time, biomethane’s role is expanding beyond emissions reduction. It now serves as a strategy for enhancing domestic energy resilience. With supply chain volatility and geopolitical tensions affecting fossil gas imports, nations and industries are increasingly turning to locally produced RNG to diversify supply.
Since 2015, global biomethane production has increased six-fold. With supportive government mandates, rising carbon prices, and corporate decarbonization targets driving momentum, industry forecasts project another tripling of output by 2035—especially in Europe and North America.
Why Gas Separation Is Key to Biomethane Production
Gas separation membranes have emerged as the dominant method for upgrading raw biogas into pipeline-quality biomethane. Their technical and economic advantages are well-aligned with current market needs.
One of the key benefits is reduced operational complexity. Membrane systems require less labor and incorporate fewer moving parts than traditional biogas upgrading technologies such as amine scrubbing or pressure swing adsorption (PSA), simplifying day-to-day operations and lowering maintenance demands.
These systems are also highly energy-efficient. With low pressure requirements and minimal auxiliary energy needs, membranes help operators reduce overall operating costs—an increasingly important factor as energy prices fluctuate and margins tighten.
Additionally, the small physical footprint and chemical-free nature of membrane units make them well-suited for integration into existing facilities. Their modular design enables easier site planning and installation, while the elimination of hazardous chemicals supports both regulatory compliance and broader ESG objectives.
Evolving Materials, Expanding Markets
Most commercial membrane systems currently rely on polyimide materials, however, ongoing innovation in membrane chemistry and system design is opening new pathways that could significantly expand market potential and application versatility.
One major area of focus is overcoming performance limits traditionally defined by the Robeson limit, which represents the tradeoff between membrane selectivity and permeability. Researchers are developing new materials and structures that break through this barrier, aiming to optimize both attributes simultaneously for more efficient gas separation.
Developers are working to create membrane materials that can be produced using established industrial-scale processes. This would allow for broader adoption by lowering production costs and improving supply chain integration as demand grows.
Next-generation membranes are being engineered for greater tolerance to harsh operating conditions. These advanced materials are designed to withstand exposure to acidic gases, high temperatures, and other challenging environments. By reducing the need for extensive gas pre-treatment, such improvements could streamline system designs and enable the use of lower-grade or more variable biogas feedstocks.
Together, these advancements have the potential to extend biomethane production to new sectors and geographies, accelerating the global deployment of renewable natural gas technologies.
Applications Beyond Biogas: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Beyond
As membrane technology matures, its applications are expanding well beyond biogas upgrading, positioning it as a versatile tool in the broader energy transition.
One emerging opportunity lies in hydrogen purification. Membranes are increasingly used in blue hydrogen production and ammonia cracking processes, where their ability to selectively separate hydrogen from other gases is essential to achieving high purity levels and process efficiency.
In the area of post-combustion carbon capture, industrial emitters are turning to membrane systems as compact, modular solutions for removing CO₂ from flue gases. These systems offer a lower-energy alternative to traditional capture technologies and are particularly appealing for retrofits in space-constrained facilities.
Membrane technology is also making inroads in natural gas processing. By enabling the selective removal of CO₂, water vapor, and other contaminants, membranes help improve the quality and consistency of natural gas streams for both industrial and residential use.
As nations invest in renewable infrastructure and carbon reduction, scalable technologies like biomethane upgrading and advanced gas separation will be instrumental in meeting energy transition targets—bridging today’s challenges with tomorrow’s zero-carbon ambitions.