Biogas Market Expected to Reach $88.6 Billion by 2032

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Biogas Market," The biogas market size was valued at $59.0 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $88.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Introduction

Biogas is a renewable energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas finds various applications, including electricity generation, heating, cooking, and as a vehicle fuel. Its use in cooking and heating helps reduce reliance on traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, thus mitigating indoor air pollution and deforestation. Moreover, biogas production aids in waste management by converting organic waste into a valuable energy resource, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape. In addition, biogas can be upgraded to biomethane, a high-purity methane gas suitable for injection into the natural gas grid or as a transportation fuel, further expanding its potential applications.

Market Dynamics

Industrial and commercial applications play a pivotal role in driving the growth of the biogas market. As industries and businesses seek to reduce their carbon footprint and transition towards sustainable energy sources, biogas emerges as a viable solution. Biogas can be utilized in various industrial processes, such as heating, cooling, and steam generation, providing a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. In addition, biogas can be upgraded to biomethane, a high-purity methane gas, and injected into the natural gas grid for industrial use, further expanding its applicability.

In the commercial sector, businesses are increasingly adopting biogas for heating, cooling, and electricity generation to meet their energy needs. Restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and other commercial establishments can utilize biogas produced from food waste and organic residues as a sustainable energy source while simultaneously reducing waste disposal costs and environmental impact. Furthermore, biogas can be utilized in cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) systems, where both electricity and heat are generated simultaneously, maximizing energy efficiency and cost savings.

Competition from conventional energy sources poses a significant challenge to the growth of the biogas market. Conventional energy sources, such as fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, have historically dominated the energy landscape due to their abundance, affordability, and established infrastructure. As a result, biogas faces stiff competition in the marketplace, particularly in regions where fossil fuels remain heavily subsidized and entrenched in existing energy systems.

One of the key factors contributing to the competitive disadvantage of biogas is its relatively higher initial investment costs compared to conventional energy sources. While biogas production requires the construction of specialized infrastructure such as anaerobic digesters and gas upgrading facilities, conventional energy technologies may already be well-established and cost-effective, making it challenging for biogas to compete on a purely economic basis. Moreover, the intermittent and variability of biogas production, influenced by factors such as feedstock availability, can limit its ability to provide consistent and reliable energy compared to conventional sources. This intermittency can pose challenges for grid integration and require additional investments in storage and backup systems, further adding to the cost competitiveness gap.

Innovation and technological advancements present lucrative opportunities for the biogas market. As research and development in biogas technology continue to evolve, new and improved processes are being developed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Advancements in anaerobic digestion techniques, such as high-rate digestion and co-digestion, allow for the more efficient breakdown of organic materials and higher biogas yields. In addition, innovations in biogas purification and upgrading technologies enable the production of high purity biomethane, suitable for injection into natural gas pipelines or use as a transportation fuel, thereby expanding the market potential for biogas beyond traditional applications.

Furthermore, advancements in biogas utilization technologies, such as fuel cells and microturbines, offer alternative pathways for generating electricity from biogas, improving overall system efficiency and performance. Moreover, the integration of digitalization, automation, and smart monitoring systems in biogas plants enhances operational control, reduces downtime, and optimizes resource utilization, further driving biogas market growth. Innovations also extend to the development of novel feedstocks for biogas production, such as algae and organic waste streams from industrial processes, unlocking new opportunities for biogas deployment in diverse sectors.

Segments Overview

The biogas industry is segmented based on source, end-use industry, and region. By source, the market is divided into municipal waste, animal waste, agricultural waste, and others. By end-use industry, it is categorized into electricity generation, cogeneration, and others. Region-wise, the biogas market share is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Competitive Analysis

The major players operating in the global biogas market report are Wärtsilä, EnviTec Biogas AG, Air Liquide USA, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, India, PlanET Biogas Group, BoxLNG Pvt. Ltd., Bharat Biogas Energy Ltd., Primove Engineering Pvt. Ltd., GAIL Gas Limited, and GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd. Other players include Green Elephant, IOT, Praj Industries, and SLPP RE.

Key Findings of the Study

• As per biogas market analysis, by source, the municipal waste segment accounted for the largest share in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2023 to 2032.
• Depending on the end-use industry, power generation segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-third of the global biogas market revenue, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the biogas market forecast period.
• Region-wise, Asia-Pacific garnered a major share in 2022 in terms of revenue.