The European Biogas Association (EBA) has released a position paper outlining key research and innovation priorities across the biogas and biomethane value chain, presenting the recommendations as a roadmap to support future European Union investment decisions under Framework Programme 10.
Prepared in collaboration with the EBA’s Scientific Advisory Board and a network of European research institutions, the paper identifies areas where additional scientific and technological progress could strengthen the sector’s long-term development, Bioenergy Insight reported.
The roadmap is organised around five strategic themes covering feedstock, production technologies, advanced applications, digital systems and deployment.
The first area focuses on biomass, nutrients, water and soil management. The EBA highlighted the role of biogas systems in connecting agriculture, energy and nutrient cycles and called for more research on processing lignocellulosic feedstocks, improving digestate use, recovering nutrients and understanding the wider agricultural benefits of biogas-integrated farming systems.
The second pillar centres on anaerobic digestion and process engineering, which the association identified as an area with broad impact across the entire value chain. Priority topics include improving microbial performance, developing biological enhancers and exploring how anaerobic digestion can contribute to reducing pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
The third pillar explores expanding the role of biogas and biomethane beyond energy generation into the production of advanced fuels, chemicals and bio-based products. Research areas include improved gas upgrading technologies, sustainable aviation fuel production, hydrogen generation, synthetic hydrocarbon pathways, biorefinery integration and new uses for biogenic carbon dioxide through carbon utilisation and capture technologies.
The fourth pillar addresses digitalisation, measurement systems and industry standards. The paper identifies the need for stronger monitoring tools for facilities with limited connectivity, digital models for process management, artificial intelligence applications and common measurement approaches for methane emissions, feedstock analysis and biogenic carbon accounting.
The fifth area focuses on system integration and wider market deployment. The association highlighted the role of biogas in strengthening energy resilience, connecting sectors, improving economic modelling and supporting public acceptance. It also stressed the importance of creating mechanisms that help move technologies from demonstration projects to commercial deployment, particularly for emerging technologies.
Across all five themes, the EBA outlined five broader priorities for future European research programmes. These include balanced investment across different stages of technology development, support for cross-sector collaboration, dedicated mechanisms to reduce risks for first-of-a-kind projects, funding for measurement and standards-related research and stronger integration of biogas and biomethane into broader cross-sector innovation programmes.
The association said these measures could help unlock the full potential of biogas and biomethane while supporting Europe’s energy, industrial and environmental goals.
