Bio-LNG Can Accelerate Industrial Decarbonization in Demanding Applications

Some industries are moving rapidly forward with process electrification, but in many applications high temperatures, process-specific requirements and the scale of investment still make full electrification difficult. In these cases, Bio-LNG can provide a practical and fast route to lower emissions.

According to Mathias Westerholm, Product Manager for Bio-LNG at Rohe Solutions, demand for Bio-LNG continues to be driven primarily by heavy road transport and maritime shipping, where regulation and market mechanisms make renewable fuels both a compliance requirement and a commercially justified choice. This is also reflected in market pricing.

“In heavy transport, the value created by Bio-LNG is typically higher than in industrial use. However, in selected industrial applications Bio-LNG can also be the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions,” says Westerholm.

Bio-LNG Can Provide a Fast Route to Lower Emissions

Although electric solutions have advanced significantly, a major increase in electricity consumption is not economically viable at every production site. In some facilities, the limiting factors may include grid capacity and the size of the electricity connection.

“For example, investment in electric boilers has often been feasible for district heating producers because the grid and connection capacity have already been strong enough. In industry, the situation may be different, and electrification can require significant additional investment in both the grid and the site connection,” Westerholm explains.

At the same time, the strengths of Bio-LNG become especially clear in industrial processes where the characteristics of gaseous fuel, such as high flame temperature, a reducing atmosphere and good controllability, are essential.

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“Industrial use of Bio-LNG is particularly relevant in applications where electrification is difficult or where replacing gaseous fuel would require major investment. In these situations, Bio-LNG can offer a more effective path to emissions reduction.”

– Mathias Westerholm, Product Manager, Bio-LNG, Rohe Solutions Oy

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Bio-LNG Blending Enables a Phased Transition

For many industrial operators, the most realistic route to Bio-LNG adoption is a phased transition. If LNG is already in use, or if a switch to LNG is under consideration, the renewable share can be increased gradually over time.

This makes it possible to start reducing emissions quickly while leaving time to assess longer-term investment decisions.

A Bio-LNG blend supports this stepwise approach by enabling flexible use of both Bio-LNG and fossil LNG at the site. This helps companies balance emissions reduction targets with cost considerations.

From a technical perspective, blending methane-based fuels is straightforward, and there is no practical “blend wall”. The renewable share can be increased gradually based on availability, pricing or emissions reduction targets.

According to Mikko Korpinen, Sales Manager at Rohe Solutions, while LNG is a fossil fuel, it often provides a practical route toward emissions reductions.

“Using the same equipment, companies can utilize not only LNG but also other methane-based fuels: Bio-LNG produced from biomethane, as well as the fuel of the future, synthetic methane, known also as e-methane,” Korpinen explains.

The Emissions Factor of Bio-LNG Can Even Be Negative

For industrial companies, the use of Bio-LNG is linked to Scope 1 emissions, the direct emissions generated by a company’s own operations, where fuel consumption is one of the key categories.

The climate impact of Bio-LNG depends on how the biogas is produced and which fuel it is being compared with. The emissions factor of Bio-LNG can range from 20 gCO2eq/MJ down to –100 gCO2eq/MJ.

“The emissions factor of the Bio-LNG we supply is typically no more than 20 gCO2eq/MJ,” Westerholm says, adding that the reference value for fossil transport fuel under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) is 94 gCO2eq/MJ.

This means the emissions reduction can roughly range from around 70% to 200%, although the final outcome always depends on the comparison baseline and the calculation method used.

“In industry, the impact is often visible in the carbon footprint of the end product as well,” Westerholm says.

Company-Specific Targets Are Shaping Industrial Decision-Making

At present, industrial demand for Bio-LNG is in many cases voluntary. Industry is not being steered as directly as transport, where EU regulation (such as distribution mandates and FuelEU Maritime) has accelerated demand for renewable fuels.

In industry, interest is more often driven by a company’s own emissions reduction targets, customer requirements, or the ambition to reduce the carbon footprint of its products.

“If a company wants to assess the role of Bio-LNG in its own production quickly, a short preliminary assessment is a good starting point: where emissions are generated, what electrification would require, and on what timeline the alternatives could realistically be implemented,” Korpinen summarizes.

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