​The study, sponsored by IVECO and Consorzio Italiano Biogas (CIB), found that BioLNG has a strategic role to play in decarbonising transport – and, in particular, the heavy sector – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study was presented at the conference “Travelling and reducing CO₂. A possible paradox” organised by IVECO and CIB during the Ecomondo fair in Rimini, Italy.


A study conducted by the Institute of Atmospheric pollution Research (IIA), part of Italy’s National Research Council (Cnr) has revealed the leading role of liquefied biomethane in the decarbonisation of transport and reduction of atmospheric pollution, also in view of the European Union’s 2050 carbon neutrality objectives. The results show that, in the mobility sector, BioLNG can lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of up to 121.6% and a decrease of nitrogen dioxide of up to 65% compared to diesel.

Giandomenico Fioretti, Head of Alternative Propulsion Business Development, IVECO, stated: “Gas propulsion is a mature technology and, when powered by biomethane, it delivers unparalleled environmental and financial advantages compared to other technologies. It can also be generated from waste, with the added benefit of enabling a circular economy approach. Climate change and air quality won’t wait, and biomethane is the mature solution available today to address these issues and protect the future of our planet.”

“The development of liquefied biomethane is today the only alternative to the use of fossil fuels that is immediately available in the heavy transport sector, which is difficult to electrify. Our farms are ready to contribute to the environmental transition of the mobility sector through the production of biomethane from 100% made in Italy and sustainable agricultural by-products,” stated Lorenzo Maggioni, Head of Research and Development at CIB - Consorzio Italiano Biogas.

The "Study of atmospheric greenhouse gas and nitrogen dioxide emissions from the transport sector fuelled by diesel, natural gas, and liquefied biomethane." promoted by IVECO and Corsorzio Italiano Biogas (CIB), assesses the environmental impact of liquefied biomethane in heavy transport compared to diesel and methane of fossil origin. It is focused on the Italian market, which is one of the leaders in Europe for the number of gas-powered vehicles and for the high number of CNG and LNG refuelling stations.

“The study evaluates the environmental impact of different fuels used in the automotive sector, with particular focus on biomethane, of which it analyses the different mix of biomasses used to feed the anaerobic digester. BioLNG brings the biggest advantage, and the benefit of its use increases as the percentage of livestock waste increases. The overall biomethane process is always beneficial compared to fossil fuels, also thanks to the high percentage of renewable energy in the Italian energy mix. The study also shows that it is possible to achieve even negative emissions when the use of livestock waste is higher than 60% of the biomass mix and there is a recovery of CO2 from upgrading for food use,” said Valerio Paolini, researcher at CNR-IIA.

The comparative analysis examines with a well-to-wheel approach 11 scenarios based on different types of raw materials fed into anaerobic biodigesters to produce biogas, and the presence or absence of CO2 capture in the process. The study showed that liquefied biomethane generated entirely from livestock animal waste delivers the biggest environmental benefits, as it simultaneously addresses transport emissions and those resulting from improved waste management. As a result, it achieves a reduction of emissions of 572 gCO2eq per km when compared to a diesel-powered heavy vehicle.

Biomethane is a strategic asset that can accelerate decarbonisation of the transport sector, contributing to the European Union’s objectives of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving zero emissions by 2050.