What is methanisation/biomethanisation?

Methanisation (or biomethanisation) is the natural process of decomposing organic waste from agriculture, the agri-food industry and local authorities.

This natural process takes place in an anaerobic digestion plant, and more specifically in a digester (a large tank), an oxygen-free environment where micro-organisms (anaerobic digestion) heat and break down the waste so that it can be recycled. Methanisation produces renewable gas or biogas, a substitute for fossil natural gas, thereby promoting the energy transition.

The biogas obtained by this process can be used to generate heat or electricity, but it can also be purified to produce biomethane that is injected directly into the gas distribution or transport network.