BioLNG combines the potential of biogas with the infrastructure and advantages of LNG, offering a real alternative to reduce emissions from hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy goods transport and maritime cargo.
Bio-LNG is, in simple terms, biomethane from a renewable source liquefied at -160 °C. However, behind this definition lies a process that combines technological innovation, the circular economy and the ability to transform waste into clean and usable energy on a large scale.
It all starts with the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which micro-organisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide. The raw materials are very diverse: from agricultural waste and crop residues to slurry from livestock farms, sewage sludge or the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. In essence, it is about turning what would normally be considered waste into a valuable energy resource.
The next step is biogas upgrading or purification, which consists of separating the carbon dioxide and impuritiesuntil a high purity biomethane is obtained, comparable to natural gas in terms of composition and calorific value. This biomethane can now be fed into the gas grid or used directly as a fuel.
Bio LNG retains the same properties as conventional LNG, but with the great advantage that it comes from a renewable source
Finally, to obtain bio-LNG, the purified biomethane is subjected to a liquefaction process in which it is cooled to about -160 °C. The result is a cryogenic liquid that takes up about six hundred times less volume than in a gaseous state, making it much easier to store, transport and distribute.
In addition to the option of physical liquefaction of biomethane, Regulation (EU) 2022/996 introduces the concept of connected infrastructure, which allows all biomethane fed into the gas grid to be recognised as bio-LNG at regasification plants.
This alternative, known as liquefaction by equivalence, has been key to the start-up of the bio-LNG service at Enagás terminals, positioning them as pioneers in this field.
Bio-LNG retains the same properties as conventional LNG, but with the great advantage that its renewable source allows for a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
BioLNG has established itself as one of the most effective solutions to move towards the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality targets. Its appeal lies in the fact that it not only contributes to decarbonisationbut also brings competitive advantages for the transport sector and the economy as a whole.
The most immediate benefit is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study published in 2023 by NTU Singapore, the use of bioLNG as a replacement for diesel can lead to 80-90% lower CO₂ equivalent emissions over the entire life cycle. In specific cases, when the biogas comes from agricultural and livestock waste, the impact is even greater because the release of methane at source is avoided. This makes bioLNG a negative-emission fuel, capable of removing more carbon than it emits during combustion.
BioLNG is a drop-in fuel, which means that it can be used directly in any infrastructure designed for LNG. This includes long-haul trucks, dual-fuel vessels and refuelling stations. No technical modifications are required, which greatly reduces the barrier to entry and allows bioLNG to be an off-the-shelf solution for fleets looking to decarbonise.
In August 2025, Enagás achieved a historic breakthrough: it carried out Spain’s first shipments of bioLNG for the supply of bunkering obtained through equivalence liquefaction. This demonstrates that Spanish infrastructure is ready to produce, transport and deliver bioLNG safely, and Enagás’ commitment to actively contribute to the decarbonisation of transport by implementing innovative solutions. It also positions Spain as a strategic hub for renewable bunkering in the Mediterranean.
Bio-LNG is also a lever for territorial and rural development as it is produced from local waste – agricultural, livestock or urban – which would otherwise generate emissions and management costs. This boosts the circular economy while generating employment in rural areas, diversifying sources of income for crop and livestock farmers and reducing external energy dependency.
The European Biogas Association (EBA) revealed in a report that by 2050 up to 40% of total gas consumption in Europe could come from sustainable biomethane and Spain would be the second country, after France, in total generation potential of this fuel.
BioLNG is a catalyst to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy transport heavy transport and maritime transport. Its increasing availability, its compatibility with existing infrastructure and its emission reduction potential make it a key part of Europe’s energy strategy.
