CO2 recovery from biogas in France
France had 837 biomethane injection sites and 16.2 TWh/year of installed capacity by June 2026. Solveno Technologies recovers, purifies and liquefies the CO₂-rich off-gas from biogas upgrading for reuse, with residual methane recovery where suitable.
CO₂ recovery in France's expanding biomethane market
France has developed a substantial biomethane sector. According to the French statistical service SDES, 837 installations were injecting biomethane into the gas networks on 30 June 2026, representing 16.2 TWh/year of installed capacity. Methanisation units account for 91% of this capacity. A further 1,357 projects, representing 23.4 TWh/year, were in the development queue. See the latest French biomethane figures from SDES.
Producing biomethane requires biogas to be upgraded and CO₂ to be separated from the methane. This creates a CO₂-rich stream alongside the biomethane product. Where its composition and operating conditions are suitable, this stream can be purified and liquefied instead of remaining a residual gas stream.
Solveno Technologies operates downstream of the biogas upgrading plant. We do not supply the upstream upgrading technology. Our systems process the separated CO₂-rich stream for recovery and liquefaction. For the technical background, see our guide to biogas upgrading and CO₂ separation and our main page on CO₂ recovery from biogas upgrading.
France is developing a market for biogenic CO₂ from methanisation
The potential to recover CO₂ from methanisation is being studied specifically in France. In 2026, ADEME published an environmental assessment of different options for capturing and using CO₂ from methanisation installations.
The study concludes that the environmental performance of CO₂ utilisation depends strongly on the selected route. Direct-use pathways can be particularly relevant where the CO₂ can be used locally and transport is limited. More complex conversion or sequestration pathways can offer higher climate benefits, but their performance depends on technology, logistics, energy consumption and the products being displaced. ADEME therefore recommends project-specific assessment. Read the ADEME study on CO₂ utilisation from methanisation.
ADEME has also published research mapping current and future sources of biogenic CO₂ in France and the markets for its utilisation. The work examines technical, economic and regulatory considerations and the development outlook towards 2030, 2040 and 2050. See the ADEME studies on BioCO₂ resources and markets in France.
The French biomethane framework and CPB certificates
France introduced an obligation system based on certificats de production de biogaz (CPB) to support biomethane production. Under the regulation in force since October 2026, the first obligation period runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029. Five subsequent three-year periods extend the mechanism through 2044. See Decree No. 2026-933 on French biogas production certificates.
The CPB mechanism concerns biomethane production and injection. CO₂ recovery does not itself generate a CPB certificate. Its value therefore has to be assessed separately through the recoverable CO₂ volume, the required product quality, the available outlet, logistics and operating costs.
Retrofitting CO₂ recovery to existing French biomethane plants
With more than 800 biomethane injection installations already operating in France, CO₂ recovery is relevant not only for new projects but also for existing plants. A retrofit does not necessarily require replacement of the current upgrading system. The starting point is the actual CO₂-rich stream produced by that installation.
For a retrofit assessment, Solveno Technologies evaluates the off-gas composition, minimum and maximum flow, pressure, temperature, allowable backpressure, annual operating hours, electrical connection, available space, storage and control interfaces. Methane-containing streams during normal operation, start-up, shutdown and purging also need to be considered.
What determines the CO₂ recovery business case in France?
The French market context makes the relationship between production site, CO₂ outlet and logistics particularly important. ADEME's work on methanisation CO₂ highlights the importance of transport requirements, energy consumption and the product or process that the recovered CO₂ replaces.
- Recoverable CO₂ volume: actual gas composition and minimum, normal and maximum flow determine annual production.
- Annual operating hours: these determine the quantity of liquid CO₂ over which investment and fixed costs are distributed.
- Electricity: electricity consumption per tonne of saleable liquid CO₂ must be assessed together with the site's electricity price.
- Required CO₂ specification: the intended outlet determines the purification and quality-control requirements.
- Local offtake: a nearby outlet can reduce transport requirements and improve the overall environmental and economic case.
- Storage and logistics: storage capacity, tanker collection frequency and transport distance affect the complete cost per tonne.
- Residual methane: where a suitable return route exists, recovering residual methane can create additional value.
Modular CO₂ recovery systems for French biomethane projects
Solveno Technologies supplies modular CO₂ recovery and liquefaction systems for CO₂-rich off-gas from biogas upgrading. Standard configurations cover approximately 350 to 4,500 kg of CO₂ per hour. The final configuration is selected according to the measured gas composition, production profile, required liquid CO₂ specification and site integration.
Depending on the project scope, the system can combine gas treatment, compression, drying, cooling, liquefaction and distillation with liquid CO₂ storage, quality analysis and tanker-loading equipment.
Assess a biomethane project in France
For an initial assessment, Solveno Technologies needs the plant location, upgrading technology, a recent off-gas analysis, minimum and maximum flows, pressure and temperature, annual operating hours and the required CO₂ specification. Electricity price, available storage and the intended CO₂ outlet are also relevant when available.
These inputs allow the technical configuration, integration requirements and main economic conditions for a French CO₂ recovery project to be assessed.
Official and independent sources for France
CO₂ Recovery from biogas upgrading
Recover and liquefy the CO₂-rich off-gas from biomethane upgrading into purified liquid CO₂, with methane recovery where relevant.
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