Bluemethane, a British climate-tech startup focused on capturing methane from liquid waste, has deployed its first production-scale methane capture unit at a biogas facility on the Isle of Wight. The project, developed in partnership with ReGenEarth, is aimed at recovering methane that remains in digestate—the leftover sludge after biogas is produced using anaerobic digesters, reports Agfundnews.
This marks the first time such a methane abatement system has been installed at a biomass site. The compact unit, which fits inside a 20-foot container, uses physical separation technology to draw methane from the post-digestion liquid. Bluemethane CEO and co-founder Louise Parlons Bentata compared the process to opening a shaken bottle of sparkling water, where gas rapidly escapes once the pressure is released. The company replicates this process by creating turbulence and applying gravity to separate methane from the liquid.
The methane captured by the system becomes part of the site’s biogas supply, offering multiple benefits. It increases the overall biogas yield, improves operational efficiency by enabling sites to use less feedstock for the same energy output, and potentially generates carbon avoidance credits by reducing emissions that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. However, Parlons Bentata noted that while these credits can offer value, Bluemethane’s business model does not depend on the carbon market. She emphasized transparency, saying the company measures and removes methane which is burned within days, offering full traceability.
Bluemethane’s technology is also being tested by Anglian Water, one of the UK’s major water and wastewater service providers. The pilot aims to recover residual methane from effluent at wastewater treatment sites. According to Parlons Bentata, this work supports Anglian Water in meeting strict environmental standards under the UK’s version of the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, which requires significant reductions in pollution levels, including from open tanks of digestate.
In addition to methane capture units, Bluemethane is working on improving measurement capabilities for methane in liquid waste streams. The company is collaborating with Scottish Water, United Utilities, and Cranfield University on a project supported by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to build a reliable system for detecting dissolved methane. Early results from the project are encouraging, and improved measurement is expected to help optimize technology performance and provide accurate emissions data for clients.
Another area of focus for the startup is methanogen deactivation—stopping the microbes responsible for producing methane in liquid waste. Bluemethane is currently working with four UK water companies to explore how preventing this microbial activity could help reduce emissions further and add value by avoiding future methane releases.
Despite the promise of its technology, Bluemethane’s unique approach makes it difficult to categorize for traditional investors. Methane capture from liquid waste is a relatively new field, and many potential backers are unsure how to evaluate its market. Parlons Bentata acknowledged the challenge but said the opportunity is clear. She believes Bluemethane offers one of the most cost-effective ways for water utilities to meet environmental regulations, and for sectors like dairy farming, the technology could help major brands decarbonize their supply chains by cutting methane emissions at the source.
As methane emissions from agriculture, water treatment, and waste become a growing concern, Bluemethane’s technology offers a novel and scalable solution. Its focus on practical, measurable impact rather than speculative carbon credits sets it apart in the rapidly evolving clean energy landscape.
