The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference in 2025 will include six cutting-edge technologies that are redefining the future of carbon capture and utilisation.
Hürth, 19 March 2025: The “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” innovation award is a distinguished honour that highlights innovative products and technology that efficiently use CO2. Six nominees this year are spearheading the development of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) across a range of sectors. with innovations in sustainable polyurethane technologies, green methanol production, new carbon capture and CO2 electrolyser systems, and methods for producing high-value carbon materials from CO2 emissions, such as graphite and carbon nanotubes.
One of the attractions of the 13th CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference, which will be held in Cologne, Germany, from April 29–30, 2025, is the award ceremony. This hybrid event, which brings together more than 250 experts from industry, science, and policy, is the flagship conference for the CCU and Power-to-X industries.
Examine the latest advancements in CO2-based chemicals, materials, and fuels, carbon capture, and green hydrogen production. This year’s event will pay special attention to persistent biogenic CO2 sources, effective carbon capture technologies, the steady supply of renewable hydrogen, the wide range of CO2 value-adding technologies, and CO2-based products in order to meet the CCU industry’s need for a long-term supply of CO2.
You may learn more about the event and the nominees at https://co2-chemistry.eu.
Introducing the Nominees: Developing the Use of CO2 in the Future
To turn CO2 into a useful resource for the chemicals and materials, CCU innovation is essential.
sector, promoting a carbon economy that is circular. These technologies lessen reliance on fossil fuels and open up new commercial opportunities by transforming CO2 into renewable carbon products.
eChemicals (HU): CO2 Reduction to CO Using Low-Temperature Electrolyser Technology
UpLink, the World Economic Forum, named eChemicles a Top Innovator. They have created the first scalable, containerised low-temperature CO2 electrolyser system in history, which will transform the
chemical industry, propelling its shift to a more promising future. The technology is capable of directly
utilising CO2 in a waste-to-wealth manner, transforming emissions into valuable molecules. The electrolyser technology can be easily integrated with existing industrial infrastructure, enabling faster uptake and lower investment cost, without the need for scrapping previously built assets. It also has the ability to work directly in tandem with renewable energy sources, helping to counteract their intermittent nature. The layered design offers more flexible scalability and facilitates an easier move to greater scales without change.
echemicles.com to learn more
FENC® TopGreen® CO2-based NIPU is a product of Far Eastern New Century Corporation (TW).
CO2 is converted into high-performance elastomeric materials using the first CO2-based NIPU (Non-isocyanate Polyurethane) technology in history. In contrast to conventional thermoplastics, polyurethanes (TPU) rely on
This unique NIPU technology provides a safer, sustainable substitute for harmful phosgene and isocyanates in applications like synthetic leather, shoe uppers, midsoles, waterproof and breathable membranes, and elastic fibres. Permanent carbon capture is achieved by mass-producing CO2-based NIPU elastomers using Far Eastern Group’s carbon capture technology, which transforms CO2 into chemicals with a CO2 concentration of more than 50% and combines it with sophisticated polymer synthesis. Compared to conventional TPU manufacturing, this innovation offers superior performance and sustainability while reducing carbon emissions by up to 58%.
Visit https://www.fenc.com.
Oxylus Energy (US): Electrolyser for Producing Methanol
A direct electrochemical method for producing green methanol has been developed by Oxylus Energy. Industrial pollutants are directly converted into sustainable energy by this amazing carbon electrolysis technology.
methanol with only water and renewable electricity. Oxylus can produce carbon-neutral and carbon-negative methanol at a price that is competitive with fossil fuel methanol because to this innovative technology. This strategy not only makes it possible to directly decarbonise industrial emissions by converting carbon into a liquid product, but it also provides a financially feasible way to defossilise the difficult-to-abate industries of shipping, aviation, and chemical manufacture, which account for around 11% of world emissions. The website Oxylus Energy
Skytree Stratus (NL): Skytree
For Power to X facilities, Skytree’s Stratus Direct Air Capture (DAC) Park offers a reasonably priced source of CO2. An electrolyser, which is supplied with the by-product water, can be connected to this park.
of the process of carbon capture. After that, a synthesis plant uses the inputs from the DAC Park and the electrolyser plant to produce sustainable fuels. In contrast to PSC (point source carbon capture), the DAC The strategy can optimise the DAC Park location based on electrolyser and electricity prices because the park runs independently of other industrial activities and climatic modules enable worldwide deployment. This technology’s low temperature requirements enable it to be fuelled by the heat from industrial waste. sustainable energy sources, including geothermal heat and power.
The URL https://www.skytree.eu/
TNO (NL): Synthesis of Sorption Enhanced DME (SEDMES)
By effectively converting CO2, TNO’s Sorption Enhanced DME synthesis technology, or SEDMES, plays a crucial role in completing industrial cycles and promoting a circular carbon economy. into DME, or dimethyl ether. During the present energy transition, DME has a significant market potential. It can take the place of LPG and diesel and develop into a significant H2 transporter or intermitted feedstock for the chemical sector. Two process steps are combined in a single reactor by SEDMES. Due to the in-situ process, CO2 and (green) H2 are converted to DME in a single reactor step with high conversion rates and efficiency. H2O separation. The conversion rate rises dramatically (over 80%), which lowers downstream processes and recycles. The most recent milestone (2024) is a state-of-the-art SEDMES pilot plant operating for 1000 hours.
En/ https://www.tno.nl
UP Catalyst (EE): CO2-derived Battery-Grade Graphite
Molten Salt CO2 Capture and Electrochemical Conversion (MSCC-EC) technology has been developed by UP Catalyst to convert CO2 emissions into long-lived carbon compounds like graphite.
and CNTs, or carbon nanotubes. The process developed by UP Catalyst uses the least amount of energy per tonne of graphite generated. This technology uses two times less energy to produce graphite than traditional synthetic graphite production methods and twenty times less energy to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs). It does this by continuously producing carbon materials at 500–750 °C, which is much lower than the 2,800 °C needed for conventional production.
The website https://upcatalyst.com
Effects and Prospects
These developments mark important advancements in tackling the financial and technical obstacles of CCU commercialisation in a range of industries, from renewable fuel to the chemical industry. science of materials and production.
The conference offers a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing among
industry leaders, researchers, initiatives, and policymakers. It addresses important subjects like CCU innovation tactics, sophisticated carbon capture techniques, and developments in CO2-based technology, in addition to policy requirements. As the global demand for CO2-based products surges, with current production capacity exceeding 1.5 million tonnes, this conference will explore the pivotal role of CCU in establishing CO2 as a viable and sustainable renewable carbon feedstock.