Metrological gas mixtures market trends driven by biogas and hydrogen

In recent years, the European energy transition has accelerated thanks to the push towards renewable sources and new energy carriers. In particular, biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen are becoming fundamental pillars of European and national strategies. 

Their spread does not only involve production and consumption but also has direct effects on the metrological gas mixtures sector, essential to ensure reliable measurements and quality standards throughout the entire supply chain.

Biogas and biomethane: a rapidly expanding sector

Today, biogas represents a significant share of renewable energy production in Europe. According to data from the European Big Association, in 2023 the combined production of biogas and biomethane reached around 234 TWh, equivalent to over 22 billion cubic meters of gas. This accounts for 7% of the annual European natural gas demand, and it is steadily increasing compared to previous years. 

The most dynamic segment is biomethane, the purified version of biogas, which recorded an annual growth of over 20% between 2021 and 2023, reaching almost 5 billion cubic metres. In countries like Denmark, more than one-third of the gas injected into the grid is already of renewable origin.

Thanks to investments supported by the NRRP, Italy aims at 2.3 billion cubic meters by 2026, contributing significantly to the decarbonization of the transportation sector and the country’s overall energy needs. 

According to the analysis “Il potenziale del biometano nelle province italiane” conducted by CIB (Italian Biogas Consortium), “in Italy, the available biomass would allow for a potential biomethane production of 8.1, 12.4, and 15.3 billion cubic meters in 2030, 2040, and 2050 respectively”.

Hydrogen: a young market with great potential

While biomethane already represents a consolidated segment, hydrogen is still in an initial yet strategic phase. In Europe, the installed capacity of renewable electrolyzers in 2025 amounts around 600 MW, far lower than the established targets, but is growing rapidly thanks to the numerous announced projects.

The European strategy aims to reach 10 million tons per year of domestically produced renewable hydrogen by 2030, but the most recent estimates indicate that the actual supply will be around 2.3 million tons, equal to about one-fifth of the target. Nevertheless, the project pipeline is extensive and shows a strong development potential beyond 2025, with hydrogen expected to become central in hard-to-electrify industrial sectors, heavy transport, and in the production of steel and ammonia.

The role of metrological gases in the energy transition

The growth of biogas, biomethane and hydrogen is also transforming the market of metrological gas mixtures. Every new production, upgrading, or utilization plant requires reliable instruments for quality and safety control.

• For biomethane, the composition must comply with stringent limits on CO₂, H₂S, moisture and siloxanes. This requires the regular use of certified reference materials, essential for the calibration of analysers and gas chromatographs.

• For hydrogen, the challenge is even more complex: the different density and calorific value compared to methane require the development of new measurements methodologies and specific reference gas for blending and pure use. European projects, supported by national metrological institutes, are defining reference standards and new calibration infrastructures, and SIAD is also actively involved in the development of these standards.

• Fiscal measurements and safety: data traceability is crucial to ensure the correct billing of the energy injected into the grid and to guarantee compliance with regulations. Metrological mixtures certify the reliability of measurement instruments throughout the entire value chain.

Conclusion

Biogas and biomethane are already making a concrete contribution to reducing dependence on fossil gas, while hydrogen is taking its first steps towards a leading role in the energy mix of the future.

In both cases, metrological gas mixtures represent an essential element to support the growth of these markets, ensuring accuracy, safety, and quality in a period of unprecedented transformation.