Methane Market: By Transportation, By End-use, and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Methane Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Transportation (Cylinders, Bottles, Others), By End-use (Automotive & Transportation, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Electrical & Electronics, Medical), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Methane Market size was valued at US$ 6,500 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 9,400 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Methane Market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of US$ 3,200 million by 2031.

The market is a critical segment of the international energy and chemicals value chain as both a basic energy source and strategic industrial feedstock. As the main element of natural gas, methane is the basis for electricity and heat supply, hydrogen manufacture, and chemical production. It is applied across power plants and petrochemical facilities, residential and commercial buildings, and fuel transportation. But methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, too, and its dual role as economic commodity and environmental hazard has put the market at the center of changing regulatory, technological, and environmental debate. The strategic need to decarbonize has heightened interest in methane detection, capture, and low-emission uses models.

The modern methane environment is being transformed fundamentally, driven by policy realignments, infrastructure upgrades, and worldwide dedication to reducing emissions. While emerging economies continue to scale up methane-based energy systems to accommodate growing industrial demands, developed economies are focusing on preventing leakage, testing for carbon intensity, and converting methane to value. Increased satellite monitoring, blue hydrogen routes, and biogenic methane add complexity to the market's measurement and use of this fuel. In addition, investor attitudes are shifting towards firms that have quantifiable methane responsibility and reporting cultures. As methane moves from an untraced byproduct to a traced commodity, its market path is no longer controlled by supply and price but by growing climate credibility, traceability, and innovation integration.

Facts & Figures

  • More than 40% of global methane emissions derive from energy use, and therefore oil and gas production are amongst the most closely audited sources, driving the industry towards more sophisticated leak detection and prevention equipment.
  • Methane constitutes almost 70–90% of natural gas composition, which again emphasizes its status as a commercial fuel source and focus of decarbonization policy contest globally.
  • Over 150 nations, through the Global Methane Pledge, have made commitments to lower methane emissions by no less than 30% by 2030, having a direct impact on the patterns of working, tracking, and reporting in the methane value chain.
  • Satellite monitoring has revealed vast amounts of unreported methane emissions in more than 30 nations, influencing regulatory actions and creating new requirements for disclosures by energy firms and national reporting agencies.

Key Developments

  • In May 2025, six satellites were launched into space by China LandSpace Technology using a rocket powered by methane, further solidifying the position of methane as a cleaner spaceflight fuel in the emerging reusable space economy.
  • In January 2025, CH4 Global made a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to accelerate deployment of its methane-reducing cattle feed in key Asia-Pacific markets with a mission for climate-smart agriculture.
  • In January 2024, CH4 Global launched Phase One of its initial vast EcoPark comprising 10 2 million litres' capacity ponds, enabling production of 80 metric tonnes of Asparagopsis seaweed per annum for methane emissions mitigation in livestock in January 2024.

Methane Market Segmentation

Based on the transportation

  • Cylinder
  • Bottles
  • Others

Cylinders are becoming a widely demanded transport vehicle in the methane market, particularly for decentralized and mobile energy purposes. They are light, CNG-compatible, and hence optimally designed for localized industrial use and small commercial deployment. In areas where pipeline infrastructure is limited or too expensive, cylinders enable effective delivery of methane for fuel, heating, and power backup. New composite cylinder technologies have further enhanced safety, strength, and pressure control, keeping up with evolving regulatory guidelines. Growth in CNG-fueled vehicles and off-grid power is also driving demand for cylinder-based transport, especially in emerging economies where maneuverability and affordability are more desirable than infrastructural reliance.

Based on the end user

  • Automotive & Transportation
  • Oil & Gas
  • Chemical
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Medical
  • Others

In the end-use markets, the oil & gas sector is the largest user and processor of methane, using it both as a product and a process fuel. Methane serves two functions: as a commodity product extracted from the ground, and at the same time as a fuel for operational savings in midstream and upstream operations. Methane is used by refineries and gas processing facilities for burning to provide heat, power, and steam. Methane is also at the heart of combined energy plans for improved oil recovery and the production of hydrogen. With increasing pressure to decrease Scope 1 emissions, most oil & gas producers are investing in methane recovery units, flaring minimization technology, and satellite monitoring to balance production economics with environmental responsibility without jeopardizing production economics.

Methane Market Summary

Study Period

2025-2031

Base Year

2024

CAGR

5.5%

Largest Market

North America

Fastest Growing Market

Asia Pacific

Methane Market Dynamics

Drivers

A primary driver for the Global Methane Market is the growing demand for natural gas, in which methane is the main component, as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. As governments and industries worldwide focus on transitioning to low-carbon energy systems, natural gas has gained prominence as a "bridge fuel" due to its lower carbon dioxide emissions when combusted. Methane’s use in electricity generation, residential heating, and industrial processes supports global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining reliable energy supply. Rapid urbanization and industrialization, especially in developing economies such as China and India, are boosting natural gas consumption, thereby increasing methane demand. Moreover, advancements in liquefied natural gas (LNG) technologies and infrastructure expansions make methane more accessible globally. This strong push toward cleaner energy sources is expected to drive significant growth in methane production and utilization in the coming years.

Restraints

Despite its role in cleaner energy, methane itself poses significant environmental challenges, acting as a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential much higher than that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. This environmental impact has emerged as a major restraint for the methane market. Methane emissions can occur throughout its value chain, including during extraction, processing, transportation, and storage, commonly referred to as "fugitive emissions." These leaks undermine climate goals and have drawn increased scrutiny from environmental groups, regulators, and policymakers worldwide. As a result, companies face rising compliance costs due to stricter emission standards and monitoring requirements. Additionally, public and investor pressure for stronger environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is pushing companies to adopt costly methane mitigation technologies, which can impact profitability. If not effectively addressed, these environmental concerns could slow the market's expansion and even lead to restrictive policies or penalties that hinder growth.

Opportunites

An important opportunity for the Global Methane Market lies in the development and expansion of renewable natural gas (RNG) and methane recovery initiatives. RNG, also known as biomethane, is produced by capturing methane from organic waste sources such as landfills, agricultural waste, and wastewater treatment plants. This approach not only reduces overall methane emissions but also provides a renewable and sustainable energy source that can be seamlessly integrated into existing natural gas infrastructure. With increasing global emphasis on circular economy models and decarbonization, investment in RNG projects is accelerating. Governments in Europe and North America are offering incentives and implementing supportive policies to encourage RNG adoption as part of broader climate strategies. By turning a potent greenhouse gas into a valuable resource, RNG projects offer dual benefits: mitigating environmental impact and opening new revenue streams for energy producers. This evolving segment represents a strong growth frontier for the methane market in the coming decade.

Trends

A key trend shaping the Global Methane Market is the rapid advancement of leak detection and monitoring technologies. Due to increasing environmental concerns and regulatory pressure, energy companies are investing in cutting-edge tools to identify and mitigate methane leaks across their operations. Emerging technologies such as satellite-based sensors, drones equipped with infrared cameras, and advanced ground-based detection systems allow for real-time monitoring and precise localization of leaks, significantly improving operational efficiency. Additionally, artificial intelligence and big data analytics are being integrated into these systems to predict potential leak sites and optimize maintenance schedules. These innovations not only help companies comply with stringent environmental regulations but also reduce product loss, enhancing profitability. As transparency and ESG reporting become more important to investors and consumers, proactive methane management using advanced technologies is gaining traction as a market differentiator. This trend is expected to continue, driving both technological innovation and stronger environmental stewardship in the methane industry.

Methane Market Segmentation Analysis

Report Benchmarks

Details

Report Study Period

2025-2031

Market Size in 2024

US$ 6,500 million

Market Size in 2031

US$ 9,400 million

Market CAGR

5.5%

By Transportation

  • Cylinder
  • Bottles
  • Others

By End User

  • Automotive & Transportation
  • Oil & Gas
  • Chemical
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Medical
  • Others

By Region

  • North America (U.S., Canada)
  • Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)
  • Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific)
  • Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of Latin America)
  • Middle East & Africa (GCC, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa)

Analyst Review

According to PBI Analyst, the global methane market is evolving beyond its historical role as a fuel source to become a strategic player in the low-carbon transition. Its dominance as the core component of natural gas positions methane at the center of energy security planning and decarbonization strategies. As global stakeholders pivot toward hydrogen production, carbon capture, and emissions traceability, methane’s dual identity as a commodity and climate variable is reshaping value chains. North America leads on production and infrastructure scale, while Asia-Pacific is surging with demand and innovation. Regulatory scrutiny, especially on fugitive emissions, is accelerating investment in leak detection, satellite monitoring, and methane-to-value technologies that will define the next competitive phase of the market.

Key Features of the Report

  • The methane market report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2020-2024), and forecast (2025-2031)
  • The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies
  • The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market
  • The report tracks recent innovations, key developments, and start-up details that are actively working in the market
  • The report provides a plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework, and reimbursement scenario
  • The report analyses the impact of socio-political environment through PESTLE Analysis and competition through Porters Five Force Analysis

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Frequently Asked Questions

Methane market size was valued at US$ 6,500 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 9,400 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2025-2031.

The main driver is increasing global demand for natural gas, where methane serves as a cleaner-burning transitional fuel for industrial heating, power generation, and chemical feedstocks.

The most significant trend is the widespread adoption of satellite-based monitoring systems for real-time methane emissions tracking and regulatory compliance.

Market research is segmented based on transportation, end-use, and region.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by industrial growth, LNG infrastructure expansion, and national decarbonization policies that favor methane as a transition fuel.

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Author

Prem Kumar

Prem Kumar with profound experience and sound knowledge across a wide range of market forecasting methods, demand f.....

1.Executive Summary
2.Global Methane Market Introduction 
2.1.Global Methane Market  - Taxonomy
2.2.Global Methane Market  - Definitions
2.2.1.Transportation
2.2.2.End User
2.2.3.Region
3.Global Methane Market Dynamics
3.1. Drivers
3.2. Restraints
3.3. Opportunities/Unmet Needs of the Market
3.4. Trends
3.5. Product Landscape
3.6. New Product Launches
3.7. Impact of COVID 19 on Market
4.Global Methane Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031
4.1.  Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
4.2.  Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) 
4.3.  Market Opportunity Analysis 
5.Global Methane Market By Transportation, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
5.1. Cylinder
5.1.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
5.1.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
5.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
5.2. Bottles
5.2.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
5.2.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
5.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
5.3. Others
5.3.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
5.3.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
5.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.Global Methane Market  By End User, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
6.1. Automotive & Transportation
6.1.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.1.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.2. Oil & Gas
6.2.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.2.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.3. Chemical
6.3.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.3.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.4. Electrical & Electronics
6.4.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.4.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.4.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.5. Medical
6.5.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.5.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.5.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
6.6. Others
6.6.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
6.6.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
6.6.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
7.Global Methane Market  By Region, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
7.1. North America
7.1.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
7.1.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
7.1.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
7.2. Europe
7.2.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
7.2.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
7.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
7.3. Asia Pacific (APAC)
7.3.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
7.3.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
7.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
7.4. Middle East and Africa (MEA)
7.4.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
7.4.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
7.4.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
7.5. Latin America
7.5.1. Market Analysis, 2020 - 2024 and Forecast, 2025 - 2031, (Sales Value USD Million)
7.5.2. Year-Over-Year (Y-o-Y) Growth Analysis (%) and Market Share Analysis (%) 
7.5.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 
8.North America Methane Market ,2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
8.1. Transportation Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
8.1.1.Cylinder
8.1.2.Bottles
8.1.3.Others
8.2.  End User Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
8.2.1.Automotive & Transportation
8.2.2.Oil & Gas
8.2.3.Chemical
8.2.4.Electrical & Electronics
8.2.5.Medical
8.2.6.Others
8.3.  Country Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
8.3.1.United States of America (USA)
8.3.2.Canada
9.Europe Methane Market ,2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
9.1. Transportation Analysis  and Forecast  by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
9.1.1.Cylinder
9.1.2.Bottles
9.1.3.Others
9.2.  End User Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
9.2.1.Automotive & Transportation
9.2.2.Oil & Gas
9.2.3.Chemical
9.2.4.Electrical & Electronics
9.2.5.Medical
9.2.6.Others
9.3.  Country Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
9.3.1.Germany
9.3.2.France
9.3.3.Italy
9.3.4.United Kingdom (UK)
9.3.5.Spain
10.Asia Pacific (APAC) Methane Market ,2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
10.1. Transportation Analysis  and Forecast  by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
10.1.1.Cylinder
10.1.2.Bottles
10.1.3.Others
10.2.  End User Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
10.2.1.Automotive & Transportation
10.2.2.Oil & Gas
10.2.3.Chemical
10.2.4.Electrical & Electronics
10.2.5.Medical
10.2.6.Others
10.3.  Country Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
10.3.1.China
10.3.2.India
10.3.3.Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)
10.3.4.Japan
10.3.5.Rest of APAC
11.Middle East and Africa (MEA) Methane Market ,2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
11.1. Transportation Analysis  and Forecast  by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
11.1.1.Cylinder
11.1.2.Bottles
11.1.3.Others
11.2.  End User Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
11.2.1.Automotive & Transportation
11.2.2.Oil & Gas
11.2.3.Chemical
11.2.4.Electrical & Electronics
11.2.5.Medical
11.2.6.Others
11.3.  Country Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
11.3.1.GCC Countries
11.3.2.South Africa
11.3.3.Rest of MEA
12.Latin America Methane Market ,2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 (Sales Value USD Million)
12.1. Transportation Analysis  and Forecast  by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
12.1.1.Cylinder
12.1.2.Bottles
12.1.3.Others
12.2.  End User Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
12.2.1.Automotive & Transportation
12.2.2.Oil & Gas
12.2.3.Chemical
12.2.4.Electrical & Electronics
12.2.5.Medical
12.2.6.Others
12.3.  Country Analysis 2020 - 2024 and Forecast 2025 - 2031 by Sales Value USD Million, Y-o-Y Growth (%), and Market Share (%) 
12.3.1.Brazil
12.3.2.Mexico
12.3.3.Rest of LA
13. Competition Landscape
13.1.  Market Player Profiles (Introduction, Brand/Product Sales, Financial Analysis, Product Offerings, Key Developments, Collaborations, M & A, Strategies, and SWOT Analysis) 
13.2.1.ExxonMobil Corporation
13.2.2.Royal Dutch Shell plc
13.2.3.BP plc
13.2.4.Chevron Corporation
13.2.5.TotalEnergies SE
13.2.6.Saudi Aramco
13.2.7.Gazprom
13.2.8.ConocoPhillips
13.2.9.Equinor ASA
13.2.10.PetroChina Company Limited
14. Research Methodology 
15. Appendix and Abbreviations 

Key Market Players

  • ExxonMobil Corporation
  • Royal Dutch Shell plc
  • BP plc
  • Chevron Corporation
  • TotalEnergies SE
  • Saudi Aramco
  • Gazprom
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Equinor ASA
  • PetroChina Company Limited

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