Biogases take spotlight in EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy released today

Brussels, 27/11/2025 – Today, the European Commission unveiled its new Bioeconomy Strategy, aimed at boosting circularity, climate neutrality, and competitiveness across the EU. The European Biogas Association (EBA) welcomes the recognition of biogases and their co-products as a core pillar of Europe’s sustainable bioeconomy.

The European Commission proposal acknowledges the role of bioenergies and biofuels, as well as the need for flexibility when assessing efficient biomass-use pathways. This is essential for the recognition of biogas plants as biorefineries that produce not only renewable energy, but also two co-products (digestate and biogenic CO₂) and innovative derivatives from these streams (e.g., e-fuels, syngas, green hydrogen, bio-based plastics, chemicals and fertilisers, polymers, etc.). This delivers exponential benefits across multiple sectors: renewable energy production, industry defossilisation, sustainable agriculture and environmental sustainability.

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy’s recognition of biowaste potential for biogas production is a welcome step forward. However, other sustainable biomass streams, such as manure and intermediate crops, must also be recognised as it holds significant untapped potential and will further strengthen Europe’s circular bioeconomy. EBA looks forward to their further promotion in the forthcoming Circular Economy Act.

The Strategy’s focus on bio-based fertilisers as a lead market is another positive step. Current production of biogases (22 bcm) generates 3 million tonnes of home-grown, nitrogen-based organic fertiliser, covering around 17% of the EU’s current nitrogen fertiliser demand. These materials can reduce reliance on synthetic inputs (24.2 Mt of fertilisers were imported into the EU in 2024, of which 11.2 Mt were nitrogen-based), support soil health, enable circular value chains, and provide practical solutions for farms. While regulatory barriers still affect uptake, EBA is ready to contribute to overcoming these challenges and scaling the adoption of bio-based fertilisers across Europe.

As highlighted in the Strategy, with the current revision of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, biogenic CO₂ can now be properly accounted for, and biogenic carbon is recognised for permanent removals. Today, 127 plants are already valorising biogenic CO₂, supplying 1.17 million tonnes of that co-product and meeting approximately 14% of Europe’s demand for merchant liquid and solid CO₂.

EBA CEO Harmen Dekker said: “Recognising biogases and their co-products in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy highlights one of the most practical and immediate ways to deliver a circular, low-carbon, and competitive bioeconomy. It enhances industrial competitiveness and food security, reduces dependency on imports, and builds resilience through smart resource management and innovation. EBA stands ready to work with the European Commission to advance a circular, regenerative, and competitive bioeconomy powered by biogases.”

Contacts

Fanny Lamon, EBA Senior Communications Officer lamon@europeanbiogas.eu

Lucile Sever, EBA Senior Policy Advisor sever@europeanbiogas.eu

Note for editors

Contribution of biogases to circular economy:

By converting biomass, such as agricultural residues, organic solid waste, and sewage sludge, into renewable energy, biogas systems reduce dependence on fossil fuels across electricity, heat, and natural gas applications. Without their contribution, many EU industries risk slower decarbonisation and continued reliance on imported fossil fuels.

 

Beyond energy, biogas plants operate as modern biorefineries, transforming waste into high-value products that directly strengthen the EU bioeconomy. Biomethane can be converted into hydrogen, methanol, or syngas for bio-based chemicals and plastics, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Digestate, as a nutrient-rich co-product, can be processed into biofertilisers, improving soil health, supporting food security, and replacing fossil-based alternatives. Likewise, biogenic CO₂ can be captured for industrial uses, including e-fuels, greenhouses, food and beverage production. By generating multiple circular products alongside renewable energy, biogas systems create a low-carbon, resource-efficient value chain that boosts industrial competitiveness and advances Europe’s circular bioeconomy.