From emission reduction to CO₂ valorization
At K-INN Tech, we have developed and patented an innovative process for the direct methanation of biogas, enabling the production of high-purity biomethane (>98%) without CO₂ emissions and with a productivity increase of up to +80% compared to conventional processes.
This technology, referred to as MET-H2, represents a significant step toward a truly circular energy model, in which CO₂ is no longer treated as a waste stream but as an active resource in clean energy generation. This approach aligns with a broader strategy for reducing the environmental impact of fuel production, based not only on the use of renewable sources but also on the redesign of production processes within a “negative emissions” framework.
Biomethane in the european energy framework
Biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic substrates (livestock effluents, agricultural residues, OFMSW) and, after initial purification, consists mainly of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Currently, biomethane production relies on upgrading processes that physically separate CO₂ from CH₄, with the CO₂ often released into the atmosphere.
This is a well-established approach, but no longer sustainable:
• the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package require a drastic reduction (>55%) in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030;
• the REPowerEU plan (2022) sets a target of 35 billion m³ of biomethane production in the EU by 2030, six times the current capacity (2024, EBA).
In this context, increasing production yield while reducing emissions becomes a strategic priority. MET-H₂ was developed precisely to address this need, by converting CO₂ into a value-added product.
The patented MET-H2 process
The core of the technology is a multistage catalytic reactor in which the Sabatier reaction takes place:
CO₂ + 4H₂ ⇌ CH₄ + 2H₂O
In MET-H₂, biogas is not subjected to a separation step but is directly fed into the reactor, where CO₂ reacts with H₂, which is also supplied to the unit. The multistage reactor configuration allows the system to overcome the thermodynamic limitations associated with the presence of methane in the feed gas.
The result is high-purity biomethane, compliant with grid injection standards.
Key advantages
1. No CO₂ emissions: CO₂ is not released but fully converted into CH₄ and H₂O.
2. Maximum yield: biomethane yield reaches 100%, compared to 50–75% in conventional plants.
3. Increased productivity: for the same biogas input, productivity increases by up to +80%.
4. High purity: biomethane >98%, compliant with national grid specifications.
5. Energy efficiency: recovery of reaction heat enables autothermal reactor operation, without the need for external energy input.
6. Compatibility and scalability: the MET-H2 module can be integrated into existing plants, regardless of the feedstock supplied to the biodigester.
7. No future CO₂ management costs.
Application scenario: from research to field
The MET-H2 technology is designed to operate across a wide range of biogas compositions and to integrate with green hydrogen production systems. Hydrogen is generated via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, contributing to an overall carbon-negative process configuration.
In this context, integration with electrolysis also enables the valorization of surplus renewable electricity, which is becoming increasingly common due to the growing penetration of photovoltaics and existing grid constraints. The process therefore also functions as a chemical energy storage system, converting otherwise curtailed electricity into renewable methane that can be stored and distributed.
Future outlook: H₂–CH₄ integration
The convergence of biomethane and green hydrogen value chains represents a natural evolution toward integrated energy systems. In this context, the MET-H2 process demonstrates how existing gas infrastructure can be effectively leveraged within the energy transition, acting as a vector for the storage and distribution of renewable energy in chemical form.
Our current focus is on the industrial scalability of the technology, through the development of partnerships aimed at:
• validation under real operating conditions;
• integration into existing plants;
• development of distributed production configurations.
Within the framework of European policies targeting net emission reductions, the valorization of CO₂ as a reactant represents a concrete technological pathway, with potentially significant impacts on process efficiency and sustainability.
In this context, CO₂ management becomes an integral part of process optimization, rather than an external constraint to be mitigated.
