Bio-LNG is renewable liquefied natural gas made from biogas. In use, it behaves like fossil LNG: high energy density, long range, and suitability for demanding engines and industrial applications. The difference lies in the origin of the methane and therefore in the lifecycle carbon footprint.
This page explains what bio-LNG is, how it’s produced, what it’s made of, where it’s typically used, and how it compares with fossil LNG, biomethane, biogas, and bio-CNG.
What is bio-LNG?
Bio-LNG (which stands for bio-Liquefied Natural Gas) is biomethane that has been cooled to cryogenic temperatures (around −160°C), so it becomes a liquid. Liquefaction reduces the volume of methane by roughly 600× compared to gas at atmospheric conditions. That’s what gives bio-LNG its high energy density, making storage and transport practical for high-demand applications.
Are bio-LNG, LBM and LBG the same thing?
Yes. bio-LNG, LBM (liquefied biomethane), and LBG (liquefied biogas) are commonly used names for the same fuel: renewable methane in liquid form, produced from biogas and used in LNG applications.
The names come from different reference points:
- Bio-LNG is used most often when the focus is the application: it’s a biofuel used in LNG engines and as a replacement for fossil LNG.
- LBM (liquefied biomethane) is the most technical description: the liquid is biomethane (upgraded biogas) that has been liquefied.
- LBG (liquefied biogas) is a term you’ll often see in the biogas sector. In practice, the fuel-grade product still needs to be high-purity methane, because CO₂ and impurities must be removed before liquefaction.
How is bio-LNG made?
Most bio-LNG projects follow four steps:
- Biogas production from anaerobic digestion (CH₄ + CO₂ + trace components).
- Upgrading to biomethane by removing CO₂, water, H₂S, and other impurities.
- Liquefaction by cooling biomethane to cryogenic temperature to form bio-LNG.
- Storage and distribution in insulated cryogenic tanks, typically delivered by specialised road tankers.
In addition, some markets work with certification-based routes that administratively allocate renewable attributes so that fossil LNG can be marketed as bio-LNG under specific schemes and conditions.
Is bio-LNG renewable and can it be carbon-negative?
Bio-LNG is renewable because it is produced from biogas, which comes from anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as manure, agricultural residues, food waste, and sewage sludge.
Depending on the feedstock and how emissions are managed across the chain, bio-LNG can be carbon-neutral and in some cases carbon-negative. Manure-based pathways can perform particularly well because they can avoid methane emissions that would otherwise occur during storage and decomposition.
Is bio-LNG fossil-free?
That depends on the production route.
If bio-LNG is produced directly from biogas (via upgrading to biomethane and liquefaction), the methane molecules originate from renewable feedstocks. In that case, the product is physically independent of fossil natural gas and is often referred to as fossil-free bio-LNG.
If bio-LNG is supplied via a certification-based route, the physical fuel is fossil LNG, while renewable attributes are allocated administratively through a recognised certification system. Under the rules of that system, the fossil LNG can be marketed as bio-LNG because the renewable production is accounted for elsewhere in the chain.
What is bio-LNG made of?
Bio-LNG consists mainly of methane (CH₄) at high purity after upgrading and polishing. Small trace amounts of CO₂ and inert gases such as nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) can remain within specification.
The difference versus fossil alternatives sits in the upstream pathway (renewable feedstock vs fossil extraction), which drives the carbon footprint and certification options.
Where is bio-LNG typically used?
Bio-LNG is chosen where high energy-density is a practical requirement:
- Heavy-duty transport (long-haul trucking and high utilisation fleets)
- Shipping (LNG-capable vessels and bunkering supply chains)
- Industry and off-grid energy where liquid delivery and on-site storage are important
These are applications where bio-CNG often becomes limiting due to tank size and range.
What is the difference between biogas, biomethane, bio-CNG, and bio-LNG?
Biogas is the raw gas from digestion (typically methane + CO₂ + impurities). It is often used on-site for heat and power, or upgraded for fuel/grid use.
- Biomethane is upgraded biogas that meets natural gas quality. It can be injected into the grid, used locally, compressed, or liquefied.
- Bio-CNG is compressed biomethane (high pressure). It is often suitable for shorter-range vehicles and applications where compression is simpler than cryogenic liquefaction.
- Bio-LNG is liquefied biomethane. It is typically used when range, payload, and distribution distance make liquid storage more practical.
What is the difference between LNG and bio-LNG?
LNG and bio-LNG are chemically comparable (both are liquefied methane), so they can use the same types of LNG engines, tanks, and filling infrastructure.
The difference is origin and environmental accounting: LNG comes from fossil extraction, while bio-LNG comes from renewable biogas pathways and can be certified under renewable fuel schemes.
How much does bio-LNG cost?
Bio-LNG pricing is usually a combination of:
- a gas price component (often linked to natural gas benchmarks such as TTF),
- a liquefaction and logistics component (local vs long-distance delivery matters),
- and a certificate/value component linked to renewable gas attributes.
Because these components vary by country, contract structure, and certification route, there is no single price in Europe. A simple online search will provide actual prices.
Ready to learn more about bio-LNG?
Understanding what bio-LNG is and how it’s made is the first step. Whether you’re evaluating bio-LNG as a fuel for your fleet or considering producing it from biogas, the fundamentals covered on this page provide the foundation for informed decision-making.
Nordsol specialises in modular bio-LNG production systems that turn biogas into high-quality bio-LNG and liquid biogenic CO₂. Our technology is designed for efficiency, reliability, and profitability at decentralised biogas sites.
Contact our team to discuss your questions about bio-LNG, or explore our other FAQs
