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06.02.2024

Navigating a Renewable Carbon Future with the Program of the CO₂-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2024

Redefining CCU Technology and Empowering Power-to-X Solutions 

With a current capacity of over 1.3 million tonnes for CO2-based products and steadily growing demand, smart Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies are helping to establish CO2 as a renewable carbon feedstock. Innovative technologies and materials are crucial to meet the increasing demand for fossil-free carbon, e.g. derived from CO2 or biomass, especially in the chemical and fuel sector. Having established itself as a cornerstone in the evolution of this dynamic field, the CO2-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference has become a meeting ground, fostering connections and showcasing the latest advancements in CO₂ capture and utilisation. 

For the 12th time the conference program presents a comprehensive overview of the status quo, delving into pivotal topics such as CCU, carbon capture technologies, biogenic CO2 sources and green hydrogen production, Power-to-X for fuels, CO₂-based chemicals, materials, polymers, mineralisation, advanced technologies, advanced research for CCU, and the fascinating realm of artificial photosynthesis. A dedicated session on innovation, strategy and policy will delve into the crucial discussion of framework conditions necessary to stimulate incentives and investments within this rapidly expanding sector, offering valuable insights and future perspectives.

The CO2-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2024 will take place on 17-18 April 2024 in Cologne, Germany and online. 

From Green Hydrogen to CO2 to Chemicals and Fuels – A Medley of CCU Technologies

Day 1, 17 April 2024

Innovation, Strategy and Policy

Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) enables the substitution of fossil carbon in sectors where carbon is necessary. It hereby supports the full defossilisation of the chemical and derived materials industries by creating a circular economy, reducing the emission gap, promoting sustainable carbon cycles, fostering innovation, generating local value, and stimulating job growth. CCU is much more than a carbon removal technology: the technology offers multiple solutions to pressing problems of our modern world and can support several UN Sustainable Development Goals if implemented properly. Thus CCU needs more political recognition and support, as its relevance as a central pillar for the transformation of the chemical and material industry is not yet acknowledged, especially in Europe.

  • Michael Carus (nova-Institute) – The Importance of CCU in a Renewable Carbon Economy – Making the Case for CCU
  • Célia Sapart (CO2 Value Europe) – The Contribution of CCU towards Net-Zero in EU
  • Nicolas Hark and Matthias Stratmann (nova-Institute) – Policy and Sustainability in CCU – A Status Quo
  • Volker Sick (Global CO2 Initiative) – Policy Support for CO2 Capture and Conversion in the USA
  • Lena Friedmann (CM Fluids) – Renewable CO2 – Biogas Sector’s Perspective

Biogenic CO2 Sources, Carbon Capture and Green Hydrogen Production

To provide the full benefits of CO2 conversion technologies, the use of renewable energy and hydrogen is indispensable and crucial for the production of CO2-based transportation and aviation fuels, bulk and fine chemicals. Today, long established techniques as Fischer-Tropsch process for CO2 conversion are now supported by electrochemistry for CO2 reduction to e.g. ethylene. The use of CO2 as a chemical feedstock for building blocks and polymers has been intensively diversified. Learn about the extensive and diversified use of CO2 as a renewable carbon source for the chemical, materials and construction industry in Europe from leading research and industrial experts.

  • Caroline Braun (Landwärme) – A Value Chain for Biogenic CO2
  • Esther Hegel (DECHEMA) – CO2 from Biogas Plants: A Future Feedstock for Biotechnology?
  • Mehdi Hssein (GIZ Morocco) – Carbon Sources and Capture in Morocco: Challenges and Opportunities
  • Oliver Ziegler (PtX Lab Lausitz (ZUG)) – Study Review: Scalable stand-alone Direct Air Capture System using Zeolites
  • Ulrich Dietz and Ralf Gesthuisen (CBL-Carbon Beyond Limits) – Amino-acid Based Carbon Capture – A Novel, Efficient and Wide Range Applicable Carbon Capture Process Technology
  • Marleen Rombouts and Ben Sutens (Flemish Institute for Technological Research – VITO) – CO2 Capture Using Porous Structured Absorbents

Presentations of the Nominees for the “Best CO2 Utilisation 2024” Innovation Award

This session aims to honor and showcase pioneers in the field of CCU innovation. Six nominees will present their cutting-edge technologies, materials and services, while the winner will be chosen by the audience in a live vote.


Day 2, 18 April 2024

CO2 to Chemicals and Fuels

The production of e-kerosene is mainly stimulated by a coming quota: According to the ReFuel Aviation EU proposal, by 2030, 5 % of kerosene demand in the European Union would have to be met by sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), of which a minimum share of 0.7 % of synthetic aviation fuels. By 2035, the mandate is supposed to increase to 20 % SAF with a sub-quota of 5 % minimum of synthetic fuels.

  • Michele Tedesco (TNO) – Towards Industrial Ethylene Electrosynthesis: Upscaling Hurdles and Perspectives
  • Florian Haakmann (thyssenkrupp Steel Europe) – Carbon2Chem® – CO2 Emissions from Point Sources
  • Lorenzo Cremonese (PtX Lab Lausitz (ZUG)) – Resource Demand of a GHG-neutral Aviation Sector in Europe: A Study on e-Kerosene

CO2 to Polymers and Materials

The use of CO2 as a chemical feedstock for building blocks and polymers has been intensively diversified. Several successfully implemented technologies used at commercial level are in place and many more at the laboratory and pilot phase. Additionally, using CO2 as a feedstock for the construction industry via inorganic and organic carbonates is on the rise. Learn about the extensive and diversified uses of CO2 as a renewable carbon source for the chemical, material and construction industry in Europe from leading research and industrial experts.

  • Christian Holzleitner (European Commision DG CLIMA) – European Perspectives on Sustainable Carbon Cycles in Industry
  • Pauline Ruiz and Pia Skoczinski (nova-Institute) – Status and Outlook for CO2-based Products
  • Simon Frølich (Danish Technology Institute)  – From CO2 to Polymers
  • Cecilia Mondelli (Sulzer Chemtech) – CO2-based Inorganic and Organic Carbonates to Green Up Construction and Transport Sectors
  • Thomas Mairegger (Net Zero Emission Labs) – CO2 Capture and Utilization Pave the Way Towards a Climate Neutral Cement Production

Advanced Research in CCU (Parallel Session)

The portfolio of potential products from CO2 and renewable energies instead of fossil resources is nearly infinite. Platform chemicals are produced from CO2, but also specialities such as proteins and fatty acids made from CO2 are on their way. International highlights on currently ongoing research in the field of Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU) are presented in this dedicated session.

  • Francesca Di Bartolomeo (SINTEF AS) – The PYROCO2 Project. Advancing Carbon Capture and Utilisation for Climate-Positive Acetone Production in Europe
  • Lili Zhang (A*Star) – Research in Singapore on Low-Carbon Technologies and Alternative Feedstocks for Sustainability
  • Pegah Shakeri (Coatema Coating Machinery) – Innovative Approaches for Industrial Electrode Production: A WaterProof EU Horizon Initiative
  • Eman Albaher (Saudi Aramco) – The Development of Iron-based Core-shell Materials for the Conversion of CO2 into Hydrocarbons
  • Verena Süß (Fraunhofer ICT) – Further Developments in Heterogeneous Catalyzed Ethanol Synthesis

Registration

The registration is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/registration/. 

Partners and Sponsors

The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2024 is supported by numerous industry and trade associations, non-profit organisations, research institutions and interest groups, that are thematically linked to the conference: BCNP Consultants (DE), BBE – Bundesverband Bioenergie (DE), C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. (DE), ChemCologne (DE), CLIB – Cluster Industrial Biotechnology (DE), CO2Value Europe (EU), Global CO2 Initative (International), IN4climate.NRW (DE), IBB – Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern Netzwerk (DE), kunststoffland NRW (DE), Plastics Europe (DE), Renewable Carbon Initiative (International), VoltaChem (NL).

The Innovation Award “Best CO2 Utilisation 2024” is co-organised by nova-Institute and CO2Value Europe and sponsored by Yncoris. GIG Karasek supports the event as a Sponsor.