The company has successfully demonstrated high-yield and high-purity biomethane production from organic waste, paving the way for global licensing and commercialization by 2027.
Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei Corp. today announced a major stride in sustainable energy, successfully completing a demonstration trial of an innovative biogas purification system. The trial, conducted in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, has achieved biomethane production with an exceptional yield of over 99.5% and purity exceeding 97%, setting a new benchmark for the cost-effective utilization of biogas.
The successful demonstration, which commenced in February 2025 at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant, marks a pivotal moment for the company and the broader renewable energy sector. For a continuous month, the system consistently produced biomethane suitable for injection into natural gas pipelines or conversion to bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG), overcoming the long-standing technical challenge of achieving both high purity and high yield simultaneously in biomethane purification.
Biomethane, derived from biogas, is rapidly gaining traction as a crucial sustainable energy source globally. Its ability to leverage existing natural gas infrastructure presents a unique opportunity to foster a circular economy, transforming organic waste into usable energy while significantly reducing methane emissions. This aligns with the objectives of the Global Methane Pledge, signed by 159 countries as of November 2024, which underscores a collective commitment to methane reduction.
The demand for biomethane is escalating worldwide. Europe is witnessing growing interest in its use for gas pipelines and bio-CNG conversion. In India, biogas is a key component of national policy aimed at addressing waste disposal and energy supply challenges in rapidly urbanizing areas. The United States also utilizes it as a natural gas substitute.
Asahi Kasei’s breakthrough is rooted in its extensive expertise in catalyst development and gas separation technologies. The company has engineered a proprietary system that efficiently separates carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane from biogas. This is achieved through an optimal combination of a specialized pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) process technology and a novel zeolite adsorbent. Zeolites, crystalline aluminosilicates with precisely controlled pores on the order of angstroms, boast a specific surface area of several hundred square meters per gram, enabling the highly effective removal of CO2 to yield high-purity biomethane.
This achievement underscores Asahi Kasei's commitment to creating a better future for people and the Earth. The global licensing effort launched by Asahi Kasei signals a concerted push to accelerate the adoption of this critical renewable energy solution worldwide.
