Scientists in Norway have developed a microbial-based process that converts captured carbon dioxide into biomethane with 96% purity, offering a highly efficient alternative to traditional biogas production. The research team uses specially selected methanogenic microorganisms that feed on CO₂ and green hydrogen inside bioreactors under controlled pressure and temperature. The microbes convert the gases into methane with significantly higher purity compared to conventional anaerobic digestion, which typically yields 55–65% methane mixed with CO₂ and contaminants. Initial trials at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences produced 1,500 liters of biomethane per day using industrial CO₂ emissions as feedstock.
The breakthrough supports Norway’s ambition to develop negative-emissions technologies by combining carbon capture with circular gas production. According to the researchers, scaling the microbial system to a full-size plant could enable the recovery of up to 220,000 tons of CO₂ annually and convert it into energy-grade biomethane suitable for use in the existing natural gas grid. The team is currently partnering with local energy companies to build a pilot facility by 2026 and expects commercial deployment in 2030, provided regulatory frameworks and hydrogen sourcing remain favorable. More