Carbon capture drives new potential for biogas plants

• From by-product to valuable resource – CO₂ generated as a by-product of biogas processing can be captured and reused.
• Significant market potential – The 4 TWh biogas production target will multiply the amount of usable carbon dioxide by 2030.
• Wide range of applications – CO₂ is suitable for industrial use in either raw or refined form.
• Profitable and sustainable – Carbon capture creates a new revenue stream while effectively reducing process emissions.
• Sarlin provides complete solutions – With over 30 years of experience, we provide carbon dioxide processing, refining, liquefaction and distribution solutions as part of comprehensive biogas projects.

Finland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, a goal in which the circular economy plays an essential role. Meanwhile, the distribution obligation of biomethane entered into force in 2022, increasing the demand for renewable fuels in the transport sector.

Biogas plants are the key to enabling this change, which transforms their by-product, carbon dioxide, into a new business opportunity.

The Finnish biogas and biocycle sector has set a target of producing 4 terawatt-hours of domestic biogas by 2030. In line with the Biogas Vision 2030 statement, the industry is committed to a significant increase in production – nearly tripling the current level of approximately 1.5 TWh.

In practice, this means taking the biogas business to a whole new level and placing remarkable emphasis on the use of side streams like carbon dioxide.

Furthermore, the EU requires that at least 29% of transport energy consumption comes from renewable sources by 2030. Finland aims to achieve this target through annual minimum quotas, requiring that a certain portion of fuel sold by transport fuel distributors consists of renewable fuels.

The biomethane distribution obligation has already created a stable demand for biogas in heavy transport. Consequently, dozens of new biogas plants are being built across Finland, and each of them will produce substantial amounts of carbon dioxide that can be utilised.

The hydrogen sector further accelerates the growth of the carbon dioxide market. This is due to CO₂ being an essential raw material for the manufacture of synthetic carbon-based products.

Bio-based carbon dioxide is particularly noteworthy, as it can be used both for producing carbon-neutral products and for constructing technological carbon sinks. 

Understandably, the implementation of biogas projects often depends on economic criteria. Carbon capture provides biogas plants with a new significant revenue stream that can be seamlessly integrated into methane processing. 

What makes carbon capture especially attractive is the strong market price of liquefied CO₂, along with the potential for emission credits and environmental certificates. 

Above all, profitability depends on customer needs, the degree of processing and logistical solutions – factors that can turn CO[g1]2[/g1] from a by-product into valuable product. 

When economic benefits integrate with reduced environmental impacts, the result is an investment dynamic where sustainability and profitability reinforce each other.

This makes carbon capture not only an environmental act, but also a strategic part of the long-term business model of biogas plants.

Let’s not forget the ultimate goal of biogas projects: to accelerate the green transition with concrete solutions that can be applied across a wide range of industries.

The capture and processing of carbon dioxide in biogas plants leads to direct emission reductions and allows for the substitution of fossil fuels in industry. 
The gas generated in the process is not wasted, but becomes a valuable resource. This strengthens the role of biogas as a sustainable energy solution, increasing the appeal of the biogas sector.

In addition, the potential for utilisation unlocks new business opportunities and creates jobs, making the green transition even more attractive from an economic perspective. 

Future prospects are even broader: biogas plants can give rise to energy clusters, where hydrogen and e-fuel production plants can use captured carbon dioxide as a raw material for synthetic fuels. 

Sarlin is a long-standing partner in the biogas sector, actively involved in developing solutions for the green transition.

As a technology integrator, we implement solutions jointly with our customers and partners. We ensure compatibility between technologies and safe processing solutions throughout the project lifecycle.

We are actively seeking new business opportunities in biogas.  
Our supply interface begins with the raw biogas and carbon dioxide from the biogas plant, which we can pre-process, refine, liquefy, store and distribute.   

With more than 30 years of experience in gas handling, we are a reliable partner for even the most challenging projects. 

Our service include: 

• Biogas processing solutions
• Carbon dioxide processing solutions
• Compressed air solutions (as service contracts or equipment supply)
• National maintenance and lifecycle services.