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Carbon dioxide (CO?) is known as the main driver of climate change. Yet, CO? is increasingly recognised as a promising renewable feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals and fuels. By capturing CO? emissions from industrial point sources or directly from the air (direct air capture, DAC) and converting them into essential building blocks, it is possible to reduce reliance on fossil resources from below ground, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and help drive the transition to a circular, climate-neutral economy.

Recent advances and innovations in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies are making it feasible to transform CO? into a wide range of products, ranging from base chemicals to advanced fuels. These innovations are not only closing the carbon loop of the chemical industry (defossilisation) but also enabling the integration of renewable energy and transport fuels (decarbonisation) into chemical processes, further reducing the environmental footprint of these vital industries.

Expanding the portfolio: What can be Made from CO??

The spectrum of CO?-derived chemicals and fuels is rapidly expanding thanks to breakthroughs in electrochemical, catalytic, and biotechnological processes. Some of the most promising examples include:

Chemicals such as Methanol, Formic acid, Ethanol, Acetic acid, Urea, Polycarbonates and cyclic carbonates, Organic acids (e.g., carboxylic acids, salicylic acid, malonic acid), Esters and lactones, Aromatics and olefins, Glycerol carbonate.

Fuels such as Synthetic gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, Methane, and E-fuels. These examples illustrate the broad potential of CO? as a renewable carbon source for the chemical and materials industry and the energy sector, supporting the shift towards sustainability and circularity.

These examples illustrate the broad potential of CO? as a renewable carbon source for the chemical and materials industry and the energy sector, supporting the shift towards sustainability and circularity.

Join the Conversation: “From Emissions to Innovation” Webinar 

To explore these exciting developments, the EU-funded research project WaterProof is hosting a webinar titled “From Emissions to Innovation: CO?-Derived Chemicals” on May 20th, 2025, from 13:00 to 14:30 CET. 

The event will bring together leading experts including 

• Pia Skoczinski (nova-Institute), – Renewable Chemicals from CO? – An Overview
• Francesca di Bartolomeo (SINTEF, coordinator PyroCO2 Project) – Pioneering Sustainable CO? Conversion to C3 Chemicals and High-Value Lipids for Feed and Food Applications
• Albert Guisasola (Univesity Barcelona, Vivaldi Project) – Innovative bio-based chains for CO2 valorisation as added-value organic acids
• Eric Schuler (Avantium, WaterProof Project). 

Attendees will gain insights into the latest CCU technologies, market trends, and applications that are driving the shift towards a circular carbon economy.

Discover how CO? is being utilised as a valuable resource and learn about the innovations shaping the future of sustainable chemicals. Register now to be part of this dynamic conversation and help unlock the full potential of CO?-derived chemicals.

RegistrationThe WaterProof Project: Leading by example

The EU-funded WaterProof Project (urban WAste and water Treatment Emission Reduction by utilizing CO? for the PROduction Of Formate derived chemicals) aims to lead CO2 utilisation by prime example. WaterProof is developing an electrochemical process that converts CO? emissions from waste incineration and wastewater treatment plants  into formic acid through electrochemistry. This approach not only reduces emissions but also supports the circular use of resources in urban environments. The project’s work demonstrates how CO? can be transformed into a valuable feedstock for a range of sustainable applications, with pilot-scale implementation already underway.

More information on WaterProof is available at https://waterproof-project.eu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

» Author: Marion Kupfer

» Publication Date: 23/04/2025

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