Asahi Kasei demonstrates high-yield biomethane production from organic waste

 

Asahi Kasei has successfully completed a demonstration trial of its innovative biogas purification system using zeolites at a sewage treatment plant in Kurashiki, Japan.

The system achieved biomethane purity above 97% and yield over 99.5%, overcoming the typical trade-off between these key performance factors.

Utilising a novel pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) process combined with advanced zeolite adsorbents, the technology efficiently separates CO2 from biogas to produce high-quality biomethane.

This biomethane can be injected into natural gas pipelines or used as bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG).

Asahi Kasei aims to commercialise the technology by 2027 and has begun global licensing discussions to support widespread adoption.

Kazuya Noda, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Material Business R&D, commented: “We’re beginning to have concrete discussions with potential licensees around the world. After commercial-scale pilot studies, we plan market launch in 2027.”