German biofuels producer Verbio SE is seeking to export renewable natural gas (RNG) from the United States as it looks to expand its North American production and partnerships with Gulf Coast LNG exporters.
Verbio North American LLC, a unit of one of Europe’s largest agricultural waste processors, has asked the Department of Energy (DOE) for permission to export up to 51.75 Bcf/year of liquefied natural gas to free trade agreement (FTA) and non-FTA countries.
“Verbio plans to inject its RNG from all applicable sources into the integrated natural gas pipeline grid where it will be commingled with other natural gas for transportation to, and liquefaction by, LNG facilities located on the U.S. Gulf Coast,” Verbio’s counsel wrote in its application.
Once liquefied, Verbio plans to purchase and export “an equivalent amount of LNG” from partnering Gulf Coast exporters to ship to France, Germany, and possibly other European countries with pipeline connections in central Europe. It is also targeting exports to Japan, South Korea “and emerging markets in the Caribbean.”
Verbio hasn’t signed any purchase agreements with LNG exporters yet, but the company told DOE staff it intended to ink firm contracts following a positive permit decision.
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In January, the Biden administration directed DOE to pause consideration of non-FTA permits for large-scale LNG terminals while it reviewed potential impacts to the public interest. DOE has since clarified that qualifying applications for small-scale FTA and non-FTA exports aren’t impacted by the policy review.
Verbio commenced RNG production at its dual biorefinery in Nevada, IA, in March and has targeted a ramp-up in production to 2.3 Bcf/y by the middle of next year. The Iowa facility also produces ethanol from agricultural waste.
Earlier in the year, Verbio broke ground on an expansion at its South Bend, IN, ethanol facility that would allow it to produce up to 2.9 Bcf/y in RNG, boosted by the waste byproducts from its ethanol production. The firm targeted commissioning in late 2026 or early 2027.
As international natural gas firms look for ways to reduce emissions in their production and transport businesses, a growing number have turned to the liquefaction of RNG to reach their net-zero goals.
Both European and Asian gas giants have made major investments over the past year in U.S. RNG firms that align with investments in Gulf Coast export facilities.
