A Renewable and Clean Alternative to Natural Gas
Biomethane is the renewable substitute for fossil natural gas. Composed of methane (CH₄), it offers equivalent energy performance and calorific value to conventional natural gas, while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of your operations.
Biomethane is obtained by purifying biogas produced from the anaerobic (oxygen-free) decomposition of organic matter. This process occurs naturally in swamps, rice paddies, wastewater treatment plants, or landfill sites, and can also be triggered artificially in digesters fed with organic residues (slurry, manure, agricultural or agro-industrial waste). Biomethane production thus enables the valorization of waste to locally produce renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with its treatment.
The chemical composition of biomethane is identical to fossil natural gas, allowing it to be blended into existing distribution and transport networks. It can also be compressed and used as fuel in vehicles (bioCNG) or ships.
Measurable Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Combustion of biomethane, like natural gas, emits carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, the CO₂ released from biomethane combustion is biogenic: it originates from the degradation of organic matter, not from fossil carbon extracted from deposits buried for millions of years. This is referred to as the “short carbon cycle,” as opposed to the “long cycle” of fossil carbon.
This difference is reflected in the emission factor, expressed in grams of CO₂ equivalent per kWh. For biomethane injected into the grid and consumed for residential or commercial use in France, this factor is 23.4 g CO₂ -eq/kWh LHV, compared with 216 g CO₂ -eq/kWh LHV for fossil natural gas. Biomethane produced by WAGABOX® units in France has an emission factor of 16.52 g CO₂ -eq/kWh LHV, a level comparable to renewable electricity sources.
The WAGABOX® process also reliably and cost-effectively reduces fugitive methane emissions at landfill sites, which are potent contributors to global warming (methane’s warming potential is up to 80 times higher than CO₂). Due to the lack of a reliable measurement methodology, this impact is currently not included in the emissions savings reported by Waga Energy.
Certified Green Value and Traceability
Various certification mechanisms allow buyers to recognize biomethane purchases in their environmental reporting and obtain regulatory or compliance benefits.
In Europe, Waga Energy’s biomethane is ISCC EU-certified (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), verifying compliance with sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction criteria defined in the EU RED directive. This certification provides access to EU ETS quota exemptions, transport quotas or carbon tax reductions, depending on national regulations.
In France, Waga Energy was the first company to issue Biogas Production Certificates (CPB), certifying the green value of the gas and allowing them to be traded independently of the molecule.
In North America, biomethane produced by Waga Energy qualifies as a cellulosic biofuel under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the United-States. It generates credits, the D3 RINs, that are purchased by obligated parties to demonstrate renewable fuels incorporation into transport activities. Biomethane produced by Waga energy also qualifies for the generation of Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTC), a traceability tool used to demonstrate to a final user the characteristics of the biomethane has consumed. Finally, biomethane produced by Waga Energy qualifies under the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulation for the generation of Compliance Unit for emissions reduction in the transportation sector.
Waga Energy can commercialize biomethane with or without associated certificates, depending on the buyer’s needs.
The WAGABOX® delivers the highest project energy recovery performance from waste to pipeline.
High Volume Predictability
AGA offers the highest standards of biomethane supply reliability and production predictability, based on two key strengths. First, with 32 operating sites achieving more than 95% uptime using the same proven technology, WAGA has demonstrated consistent performance across a wide range of landfill gas qualities and operating conditions. Our standardized and industrialized approach also enables faster deployment, streamlined installation, and continuous cost optimization. Second, WAGA benefits from strong feedstock security through predictable landfill gas intake and long-term gas rights agreements, typically secured for periods of 10 to 20 years.
Competitive Price
Landfill gas-based biomethane benefits from a structural cost advantage, as no dedicated anaerobic digester is required—the biological decomposition process naturally takes place within the landfill. This reduces upfront capital expenditures and production costs, allowing RNG to be supplied at a competitive and attractive price over the long term.
At a glance
Alternative to Fossil Gas
Landfill‑based RNG has the same properties and performance as fossil natural gas, but with a lower carbon footprint, making it an effective solution to decarbonize energy use.
Climate and Environmental Benefits
By capturing landfill methane and upgrading it into RNG, emissions are drastically reduced (up to 90%), turning a powerful greenhouse gas into low‑carbon energy.
Economic Impact
RNG from landfill sites supports the circular economy, reduces dependence on fossil imports, and comes with recognized certifications that create regulatory, fiscal, and market value for buyers.
