Newsletter Juni 2025
English version
Welcome to the latest issue of the biogaspartner newsletter - an information service from the German Energy Agency (dena) covering all aspects of biomethane. This newsletter informs you, among other things, about dena's newly published factsheet on recognising the emission reduction of biomethane in the EU, the cooperation between the Elevion Group and AB on the construction of 5 new biomethane plants in Italy and agriportance's new industry commentary on assessing the role of biomethane in the FuelEU Maritime regulation.
Further information on the biogas partnership project and our partners can be found at www.biogaspartner.de
NEWS
New factsheet: Recognition of the emission reduction of biomethane in the EU
dena has published a new factsheet dealing with the recognition of biomethane emission reductions in the EU, for which companies must meet strict requirements from the European Green Deal, including the EU taxonomy, the CSRD and EU emissions trading. Biomethane is considered sustainable if it supports clearly defined environmental targets and corresponding evidence such as RED II sustainability certificates (e.g. via Nabisy) is provided. Comprehensive ESG reporting obligations covering all emission sources (Scopes 1-3) must be met, while the EU ETS generally recognizes biomass as climate-neutral, provided the requirements are met. Companies benefit from this regulation through better market integration, but must provide transparent and standardized sustainability reports in return.
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INDUSTRY COMMENTARY
agriportance: The opportunities and uncertainties for biomethane in the FuelEU maritime
According to agriportance GmbH, the EU's FuelEU Maritime Regulation obliges gradually decreasing greenhouse gas limits for marine fuels from 2025 and could therefore create new sales opportunities for biomethane, which can achieve extremely low GHG values (e.g. -100 g CO₂eq/MJ) thanks to the RED III methodology. By 2035, the reduction targets will rise to 14.5%, while mechanisms such as pooling and banking offer incentives for early investment, but also give rise to criticism. However, there are uncertainties, for example due to possible competitive disadvantages for German producers with subsidised quantities from other EU countries and different international recognition of GHG credits from liquid manure.
GENERATION
Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and BBV focus on clustering biomethane plants
Bavaria has launched the “BioMeth Bayern” funding program to accelerate the feed-in of biomethane into the natural gas grid for transport, heating and electricity and make it cheaper. Energy Minister Hubert Aiwanger wants to shorten the gas grid connection of biogas upgrading plants from the current 2-3 years to 18 months and simplify planning and approval procedures. With the “Bavarian Biogas Feed-in Initiative”, key players in the energy industry and the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV) have signed a joint declaration to remove obstacles and promote innovative solutions such as the clustering of biogas plants.
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Oikos Group concludes purchase agreement with RhönEnergie Group for biomethane procurement
The Oikos Group, a multinational prefabricated house company, is switching its natural gas supply at three locations in Oberleichtersbach and Unterleichtersbach and at the Oberleichtersbach sampling center entirely to biomethane from the RhönEnergie Group. The sustainable biomethane comes from the Biothan GmbH biogas park in the district of Fulda, where it is produced exclusively from organic residues without renewable raw materials. With this step, the Oikos Group aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and strengthen regional value creation at the same time.
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Tender for biomethane plants sobering: improvement of the tender suggested
At the Federal Network Agency's first tender date in 2025, the volume for biomass plants of 187 MW was more than three times oversubscribed with bids totalling 543 MW, while once again not a single bid was received for biomethane plants. Industry representatives are urgently calling for better tendering conditions for biomethane, as the current EEG design makes projects economically unattractive. Specifically, it is proposed that the full load hours regulation for biomethane CHP plants be increased from 10 % to 50 % and that biomethane plants be re-admitted to the biomass tenders.
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TH Köln optimizes production process for CO2-negative hydrogen through biomethane cracking
Together with partners in the H2MikroPlas project, TH Köln is developing a process for producing CO₂-negative hydrogen by microwave plasma cracking of biomethane. This involves splitting biomethane from waste into hydrogen and solid carbon (carbon black), which can be used as a raw material for plastics or battery technology. The aim is an industrial, mobile container solution that can also process contaminated biogas such as landfill gas. The project, which is funded with EUR 3.2 million until 2028, aims to enable flexible, sustainable hydrogen production with a negative carbon footprint.
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MOBILITY
Vigo Bioenergy, Bosch and IVECO present Bio-LNG truck with Digital Fuel Twin
ViGo Bioenergy, Bosch and IVECO refuelled an IVECO S-Way LNG truck with 100% bio-LNG for the first time on 17 June 2025 in Leverkusen. The Digital Fuel Twin technology enables tamper-proof digital proof of origin for biofuels and helps transport companies to demonstrably reduce their CO₂ emissions. The aim of the European ‘Tour d'Europe’ is to highlight the advantages of bio-LNG as a climate-friendly alternative for heavy goods logistics and to promote its acceptance in the industry.
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Edeka Minden-Hannover plans to convert its entire truck fleet to bio-LNG by 2026
EDEKA Minden-Hannover has opened its first REEFUEL Bio-LNG filling station in Brandenburg in Mittenwalde and plans to convert its entire truck fleet to this low-emission fuel by the beginning of 2026. Around 500 LNG trucks are already running on bio-LNG, with the aim of running around 650 vehicles exclusively on it in future and saving up to 45,000 tons of CO₂ per year. The bio-LNG is supplied under a long-term contract with Alternoil and comes from green hydrogen and biomethane from certified waste processes, enabling a 100% reduction in CO₂ and significantly improving air quality.
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Last bio-CNG filling station in the Werra-Meißner district ceases operations
The last CNG filling station in Eschwege (North Hesse) closed its doors at the beginning of May, meaning that drivers now have to drive at least 60 kilometers to the nearest filling station. The reason for the closure is the lack of economic viability in view of the sharp drop in demand in the private sector - in 2024, only 137 new CNG cars were registered across Germany (-89.7% compared to 2023). While the number of CNG cars is shrinking, heavy goods vehicles are increasingly relying on more climate-friendly bio-CNG from residual materials and liquid manure.
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INTERNATIONAL
AT | Wiener Neustadt receives new biogas upgrading plant for biomethane production
A new biogas upgrading plant was put into operation in Lichtenwörth (Lower Austria), which produces around 13 GWh of biomethane from liquid manure and renewable raw materials every year - enough for around 850 households. The biomethane is fed into the public gas grid via a 1.3 km pipeline, saving around 3,000 tons of CO₂ per year. The project, with an investment volume of EUR 2.6 million, is considered a model for the regional circular economy and sustainable energy supply.
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SK | Envitec announces commissioning of first EnviThan plant in Slovakia
EnviTec Biogas has commissioned the first EnviThan gas upgrading plant in Slovakia in Bierovce, which feeds 449 Nm³/h of biomethane into the local gas grid. The plant mainly uses food waste and chicken manure as input materials and boasts an impressive methane content of 98%, which means that fossil propane can be almost completely dispensed with. A second project in Ožďany with 417 Nm³/h is already under construction, with plans to expand biogas production there to 1,300 Nm³/h in the future. The projects benefit from regional value creation, efficient service and attractive subsidies as part of the Slovakian energy transition.
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NO | 3Degrees achieves ISCC certification for its biomethane solutions
3Degrees, a leading global provider of climate protection solutions, has further strengthened its commitment to decarbonization in the European markets by achieving EU ISCC certification for its biomethane solutions. These certificates meet the EU's strict sustainability requirements and ensure traceability and credibility in decarbonization. 3Degrees thus supports its customers in Europe in achieving their voluntary and regulatory climate targets with certified biomethane.
ES | CycleØ receives gas shipping liscense in Spain
Biomethane producer CycleØ has received a gas supplier license in Spain and will be able to trade biomethane from its existing plants in Lleida and Vilanant directly and feed it into the grid. The company is planning to build up to 30 biogas plants with a total volume of 800 GWh per year, enough to supply around 123,000 households, and is investing a total of EUR 200 million in the project. With the new license, CycleØ is strengthening its position as a long-term player in the Spanish market for renewable gas.
IT | Elevion Group and AB enter into cooperation to build five new biomethane plants
The two renewable technology and energy service providers Elevion Group and AB have signed a framework agreement for the construction and maintenance of five biomethane plants in Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. The plants, equipped with AB's BIOCH4NGE® technology, will save around 50,000 tons of CO₂ annually and produce up to 42.5 million Nm³/a from agricultural residues and manure. The aim is to significantly support the decarbonization of energy-intensive industrial processes in Italy by 2026.
IT | Anaergia and Techbau expand existing cooperation for two more biomethane plants
Anaergia S.r.l., a subsidiary of the Canadian biomethane plant constructor Anaergia Inc., is expanding its collaboration with the Italian construction company Techbau to include the construction of a total of seven biomethane plants in southern Italy. The plants are scheduled to go into operation by mid-2026 and will produce renewable biomethane for the Italian gas grid from agricultural and food processing waste. Anaergia will supply the plant technology, while Techbau will be responsible for planning and construction. The extended contract will bring Anaergia additional revenue of around CAD 9.2 million, with total revenue from the project amounting to over CAD 36 million.
FR | Sienna IM supports KEON Group with EUR 40 million for growth in the biomethane market
The French biomethane producer KEON has received EUR 40 million in financing from Sienna Investment Managers to drive forward the expansion of its activities in the field of green gases. The capital comes from three specialized loan funds and supports the development of 4 biomethane plants currently under construction and at least 18 planned plants. KEON already operates 11 plants and intends to use the strategic financing to further expand its leading role in the French biomethane sector.
UK | Utonomy and SGN sign contract for new biomethane feed-in system
The British technology company Utonomy is supplying an intelligent pressure control system for the British grid operator SGN, which is intended to significantly increase the feed-in of biomethane into the gas grid. The “UtonomyOne” system is being installed for the first time on the Isle of Sheppey and allows the remote-controlled adjustment of grid pressure in order to prioritize biomethane feed-in over natural gas. SGN already operates 42 biomethane plants with a capacity for 320,000 homes and aims to supply one million homes with green gas by 2031 - which would save 2.1 million tons of CO₂ annually. The new technology is part of a comprehensive plan to decarbonize the UK's gas infrastructure.
PT | Repsol expands refinery plant to include production capacity for biomethane
Repsol is planning to produce biomethane and hydrogen in Sines on the south-west coast of Portugal from 2026 as part of its strategy to switch to renewable energies. The biomethane is to be produced from organic waste such as liquid manure and food waste and integrated into the existing natural gas network. At the same time, the company wants to gradually convert its refineries to 100% renewable fuels such as HVO, which is produced from waste and green hydrogen from solar power electrolysis. Repsol sees these projects as part of a diverse energy mix with biomethane, hydrogen, electric vehicles and renewable diesel.
BR | BNDES grants loans amounting to EUR 6.1 billion to promote biomethane projects
The Brazilian development bank BNDES has approved a loan of around EUR 6.1 million (BRL 37.6 million) to promote the expansion of biomethane infrastructure. The aim is to increase the use of biomass for a more climate-friendly energy supply, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive forward the country's energy transition. The project is also intended to create regional jobs and stimulate the bioenergy sector economically.
