Patended 3-stage membrane-based separation process
Evonik has developed and patented a 3-stage biogas upgrading process that makes optimum use of the SEPURAN® Green membranes separation properties.
In the gas separation process, which has been developed by Evonik, binary gas mixtures such as raw biogas, which consists primarily of biomethane and carbon dioxide, can be separated very efficiently and cost effectively. In addition to increased yields and lower equipment and energy requirements – a second compressor is no longer required - the membrane process eliminates the need for additional purification, so that the enriched gas can be fed directly into the natural gas network.
Patents granted in relevant markets
The 3-step membrane process developed by Evonik is legally protected in all major European markets besides America and Asia.

At the core of the separation process are the innovative hollow fibre membranes of Evonik’s SEPURAN® Green brand. These consist of a high-performance plastic, developed by Evonik, which can withstand extreme pressure and temperatures. The membranes also have excellent selectivity. In combination with the three-stage separation process, recycling streams can be minimized which helps to optimize the energy costs of biogas processing plants.
License to use
With the purchase of the SEPURAN® Green membranes, Evonik’s contract partners – plant engineering companies - also receive a license to use this three-stage separation process. In turn, when a company buys a biogas processing plant with SEPURAN® Green membranes that has been constructed by Evonik’s contract partners, the plant with SEPURAN® Green membranes can be operated using the patent-protected process.
Label for certified suppliers

Evonik introduces their label for certified suppliers of efficient biogas upgrading units with SEPURAN® Green Membranes.
Our Certified suppliers of Biogas upgrading units are allowed to use (and sublicense to its customers) the 3-stage separation process that has been developed only and patented by Evonik. It makes optimum use of the SEPURAN® Green membranes separation properties and combines highest performance with optimized energy costs through minimized recycling streams.
Consequently, only if a company buys a biogas processing plant that has been constructed by Evonik’s contract partners, that plant can be legally operated using the patent-protected 3-stage process.
This process developed by Evonik is legally protected in all major European markets as well as in America and in Asia.
This newly introduced label is of big support for those in the biogas market, who are interested in operating biogas upgrading plants. It is a very transparent medium for end customers now to identify suppliers, who are providing best-in-class solutions and a proven technology.
Current patent status - Patents/applications having joint priority with EP 2 588 217 B1

Country |
Status |
Application date / number |
Publication date / number |
Grant date / patent number |
AT |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
AU |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
21.02.2013 |
24.05.2014; |
BE |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
BR |
Filed |
26.05.2011; |
17.05.2016 |
|
CA |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
05.01.2012 |
10.10.2017; |
CH |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
CN |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
26.10.2016; |
29.07.2022; 109039942 |
CZ |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
DE |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
DK |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
ES |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
FR |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
GB |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
HU |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
ID |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
25.04.2013; |
07.09.2017; |
IE |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
IN |
Granted |
26.05.2011; IN 704/CHENP/2013 |
27.06.2014; |
02.03.2021; |
IT |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
JP |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
09.09.2013 |
25.12.2015; |
KR |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
15.01.2014 |
28.05.2019; |
MY |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
|
28.02.2018; |
NL |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
PL |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
RU |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
05.01.2012; |
31.05.2016; |
SE |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
SG |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
30.01.2013 |
10.07.2015; |
TH |
Filed |
26.05.2011; |
26.05.2014; |
|
TR |
Granted / |
26.05.2011; |
08.05.2013; |
22.02.2017; |
US |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
25.04.2013; |
07.04.2015; |
ZA |
Granted |
26.05.2011; |
|
30.10.2013; |
Current patent status - Patents/applications having joint priority with EP 3240620 B1

Country |
Status |
Application date / number |
Publication date / number |
Grant date / patent number |
AT |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
AU |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
29.06.2017 |
20.08.2020; |
BE |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
BR |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
09.01.2018 |
03.11.2021 |
CA |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
07.07.2016 |
21.06.2022; 2,970,104 |
CH |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
CN |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
29.08.2017; |
15.09.2020; |
CZ |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
DE |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
DK |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
ES |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
FR |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
GB |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
ID |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
|
16.01.2020; |
IE |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
IN |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
03.11.2017 |
11.11.2020; |
IT |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
JP |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
26.04.2018 |
25.01.2019; |
KR |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
08.09.2017 |
19.05.2022; 10-2401146 |
MY |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
|
20.11.2020; |
NL |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
PL |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
RU |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
|
02.03.2020; |
SG |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
28.07.2017 |
25.10.2019; |
TH |
Filed |
22.12.2015; |
08.02.2018; |
|
TR |
Granted / under opposition |
22.12.2015; |
08.11.2017; |
05.05.2021; |
US |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
28.12.2017; |
12.11.2019; |
ZA |
Granted |
22.12.2015; |
|
31.07.2019; |
Current patent status - Patents/applications having joint priority with EP 2996794 B1

Country |
Status |
Application date / number |
Publication date / number |
Grant date / patent number |
DE |
Granted / under appeal |
28.04.2014; |
23.03.2016; |
26.09.2018; |
FR |
Granted / under appeal |
28.04.2014; |
23.03.2016; |
26.09.2018; |
GB |
Granted / under appeal |
28.04.2014; |
23.03.2016; |
26.09.2018; |
IT |
Granted / under appeal |
28.04.2014; |
23.03.2016; |
26.09.2018; |