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The heart of biogas industry is on, with going on transformation and upgrading. Upgraded biogas, namely biomethane, is a low-carbon, clean, safe and efficient renewable energy, which very often has been neglected in energy debate. However, it shows great contributions to promoting the transformation and upgrading of energy structure and energy security, building an ecological civilization, etc. The successful business cases in Europe have displayed many reasons to keep developing this sector. Hence, taking China as an example, this work aims to benefit the government and energy transition stakeholders more broadly in working together to enable and manage successful biogas industry transition with the experience of European countries. This includes how policymakers can help to guarantee the healthy development of biomethane industry, and what the government and companies can do to boost the market, economy and technology of biomethane. The ultimate target is to prosper the world's biomethane industry to meet people's ever-growing demands for a better life and a beautiful environment. • Biomethane industry is the inevitable way of biogas industry development. • The future direction of biomethane industry should include energy, environment and human health. • Biomethane industry needs to innovate on the existing biogas industry. • The top-level design needs to be in place, and detailed policies need to follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the biomass industry in China would provide significant ecological, economic, and societal benefits by ameliorating soil and groundwater pollution and providing a sustainable energy source. However, although there is great potential for expanding the biomass industry in China, it currently faces large obstacles, with respect to its utilization, low economic performance, and other limitations. This study conducts a comprehensive literature review on biomass utilization methods, and establishes a new recycling model that couples the use of anaerobic digestion (AD) and its byproducts with biochar. In the model, biomass waste is used for biogas and biochar production, and biogas residues are further cracked into biochar. Biochar is also used as an additive to modify the AD process and promote methane production. In addition to its single application, biochar is further used in combination with biogas slurry or residue as a soil conditioner to repair soil and promote the growth of crops. This circulation model differs from models in which biomass alone is used in biogas or biochar production, and it combines all processes to promote the use of biomass, increase its conversion efficiency and strength the applications of such processes in the agricultural sector. Previous reports have shown that each part of the model can play a positive role in improving overall efficiency. Therefore, the application of the combined circulation model would be beneficial in biomass utilization and as such is a promising method for promoting the sustainable development of energy and agriculture in China, while protecting the environment. • Biomass waste is used for biogas and biochar production. • Biochar is effective to modify the AD process and promote methane production. • Biogas residues are further cracked into biochar. • Biochar combined with biogas slurry or residue can serve as a soil conditioner. • A new recycling model is established by coupling biochar with anaerobic digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]