As the global energy sector enters 2025, it faces two critical priorities: ensuring energy security and accelerating decarbonization. Biomethane—often referred to as renewable natural gas (RNG)—offers a promising path to address both. A new report from IDTechEx, “Gas Separation Membranes 2026–2036: Materials, Markets, Players, and Forecasts,” highlights that membrane technology has now taken the lead in upgrading biogas into biomethane. With RNG markets expanding, the outlook is increasingly positive for players in the gas separation membrane space.
Understanding Biomethane
Biomethane originates from biogas, which is generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste such as food scraps and animal manure. This raw biogas contains mostly methane and carbon dioxide. When the carbon dioxide is removed—upgrading the biogas to meet natural gas standards—the result is biomethane, a clean and renewable substitute for fossil natural gas.
One of biomethane’s key advantages is that it can be produced locally. This reduces dependence on imported natural gas, especially from politically unstable regions, thereby strengthening national energy security.
Government initiatives supporting low-carbon energy solutions have also driven up demand for RNG. Since 2015, global biomethane production has increased sixfold. IDTechEx projects that by 2035, this output could triple again. Europe and North America are currently leading in RNG adoption and production.
Why Membranes Are Leading the Way in Biogas Upgrading
The growth of biomethane markets during the 2010s has positioned gas separation membranes as the most widely used technology for upgrading biogas. Their appeal lies in their operational simplicity, lower maintenance costs (OPEX), and high energy efficiency. Additionally, membrane systems have a small physical footprint and avoid the use of hazardous chemicals, making them suitable for a range of installations.
Although membranes are not without limitations—such as higher losses of biomethane and potential degradation over time—they are often the most cost-effective solution. More complex applications, like landfill gas purification where oxygen and nitrogen are present, may require a combination of technologies, such as membranes paired with cryogenic systems.
Currently, polyimide-based membranes like Evonik’s SEPURAN Green dominate this sector. However, as global demand for biomethane rises, new materials and alternative upgrading methods are expected to gain traction.
Research into next-generation membrane materials focuses on three key goals:
- Improving selectivity and permeability to go beyond the current Robeson limit
- Creating materials that are scalable for mass production using existing processes
- Enabling operation under harsher conditions (e.g., high temperatures or acidic environments) to minimize the need for pre-treatment
Beyond Biomethane: Other Uses for Gas Separation Membranes
Gas separation membranes have a broader role in achieving energy security and decarbonization. Beyond biogas upgrading, they’re used in a variety of established and emerging applications. These include post-combustion carbon capture, natural gas processing, and hydrogen separation—for both established uses (like ammonia and methanol production, or oil refining) and new applications such as blue hydrogen, hydrogen blending and deblending, and ammonia cracking. Membranes are also essential in helium separation and recovery.
While some of these areas are already well-developed, they continue to offer space for innovation—particularly in membrane materials. The latest IDTechEx report provides a detailed overview of market trends, key players, and developments across all these segments.
