Exploring Innovative Pathways in Green Hydrogen, Carbon Capture, and (Biogenic) CO2 Utilisation at the CO2-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference
The most recent developments in Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology will be presented during the 13th edition of the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference, which is planned for April 29–30, 2025, in Cologne, Germany, as well as online. This year’s event addresses the increasing need for CO2 as a renewable carbon solution for the fuel and chemical industries, building on its well-established position as a field cornerstone.
With yearly global capabilities for CO2-based products already surpassing 1.5 million tonnes, the conference’s objectives are to promote networking and showcase state-of-the-art advancements in CO2 capture and utilization. In addition to exploring important subjects including Power-to-X for fuels, CO2-based chemicals, materials, polymers, mineralization, advanced technologies, and ground-breaking advanced research for CCU, the two-day event’s agenda offers a thorough overview of the current situation. A special session on strategy, innovation, and policy will go over the framework requirements needed to encourage investments and incentives in this quickly growing industry.
The presentations of the six finalists for the “Best CO2 Utilization 2025” innovation prize were a highlight of the conference. Innovative technologies and developments in the field of CCU are honored with this award.
More than 30 international specialists from top organizations, projects, and businesses throughout the world are featured in the program, which highlights both well-established and cutting-edge solutions for the effective valorization of CO2 as a renewable feedstock. This year’s event will specifically address persistent biogenic CO2 sources, effective carbon capture technologies, and the steady supply of renewable hydrogen in order to meet the long-term CO2 supply needs of the CCU business. The industry’s drive for more sustainable practices and the changing carbon transformation landscape are reflected in these areas.
The full conference program is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/program/.
From Policy to Practice: Advancing CCU Innovations Across the CO2-Value Chain
As the world accelerates towards a low-carbon future, the CO2-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference continues to play a vital role in shaping the trajectory of sustainable carbon utilisation technologies. Dedicated sessions provide a unique platform for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and forge collaborations that will drive the transition to a circular carbon economy.
Innovation, Strategy and Policy: CCU is more than just a carbon removal technology. The utilisation of CO2 offers multiple solutions to pressing problems of modern societies and can support several Sustainable Development Goals if implemented properly. Yet, CCU requires more political recognition and support – especially in the EU – to establish it as a central transformation-instrument of the chemical and material industry. Experts from nova-Institute, CO2 Value Europe, RSB, NRW.Energy4Climate and Holcim Deutschland will share insights on the current and future role of CCU in international and European policy and discuss key-topics such as sustainability, certification, and the value chain implementation.
Green Hydrogen Production, Biogenic CO2 Sources and Carbon Capture: The success of CCU depends on securing steady sources of CO2, improved capture methods, and ensuring sufficient supply with renewable energy and green hydrogen from water electrolysis and biogas production. These renewable elements are crucial for the transformation of CO2 into chemicals, polymers and fuels. International companies like Endrava, EIT InnoEnergy, Fortum, Revcoo, Sypox and RWE Generation together with University of Liége will introduce software-based evaluation methods of biogenic CO2 sources, validate their potential for CCU in case studies, and introduce cryogenic and mobile carbon capture solutions.
CO2 to Chemicals, Fuels, Polymers and Materials: The use of CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals and polymers has been significantly diversified, with several technologies already operating at a commercial scale. In particular, the production of synthetic aviation fuels is gaining momentum, driven by political initiatives such as the EU’s ReFuel Aviation proposal. This policy mandates that by 2030, 5 % of the EU’s kerosene demand must come from sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), including a minimum of 0.7 % from synthetic fuels. By 2035, this requirement is supposed to increase to 20 % SAF, with at least 5 % from synthetic sources. In this session, the Global CO2 Initiative will outline advantages of CO2 utilisation for sustainable aviation fuels, with companies like SynataBio, Electrochaea, Air Liquide, and Celanese demonstrating successful methods of using CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals and fuels. Meanwhile, research institutes such as SINTEF and IFAM, along with startups like UP Catalyst, are exploring innovative applications for CO2 in areas such as food production, polyurethanes, nanotubes, and graphite.
CO2 Utilisation Technologies: The use of CO2 in valuable chemicals, fuels, polymers and materials is enabled via chemical conversion, electrochemical conversion and biotechnological conversion. These conversion technologies harbour an incredible diversity of specific, high potential solutions for efficient CO2 utilisation. Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, TNO, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and VTT, as well as experts from companies such as Carbogenesis, GIG Karasek, eChemicals, Skylea and Colipi will introduce innovative approaches for CO2 valorisation.
Advanced Research in CCU: The portfolio of potential products from CO2 and renewable energies reaches from platform chemicals to cross-sectoral and value chain overarching approaches. This session highlights current research in the field of CCU presented by researchers from AIMPLAS, COWI and Aalborg University, Università di Bologna, University of Liverpool and Toulouse Biotechnology Institute.
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia has once again taken on the patronage of the conference.
More information and registration details are available at https://co2-chemistry.eu.
Partnerships and sponsoring
The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2025 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), BioBase (AT), C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. (DE), ChemCologne (DE), Chemie-Cluster Bayern (DE), CLIB – Cluster Industrial Biotechnology (DE), CO2 Value Europe (EU), Global CO2 Initiative (International), IN4climate.NRW (DE), IBB – Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern Netzwerk (DE), kunststoffland NRW (DE), Plastics Europe (DE), Renewable Carbon Initiative (International).
The Innovation Award “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” is co-organised by nova-Institute and CO2 Value Europe and sponsored by Yncoris.
Holcim and GIG Karasek support the event as sponsors.
More information on sponsoring and exhibition is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/sponsoring/.
