The European Commission's "European Green Deal" will contribute to making Europe climate-neutral and to make EU's economy sustainable by 2050. Now, the European Commission is investing 40 million Euros in the PyroCO2-project. The project paves the way for innovative solutions for CO2 capture and utilization (CCU).
CCU for a sustainable production and economy
SINTEF has more than 35 years of experience in carbon capture and storage (CCS). CSS is a necessary step to cut climate emissions, but in order to move towards a circular economy and more sustainable production processes, we need to look at new solutions, such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU).
–We aim for the project to be a game changer for carbon-intensive industries. With solutions that convert CO2 into valuable products enables the industry to lower their carbon footprint. At the same time, they will maintain their competitiveness, thus securing the work force, and be a part of the solution for the climate, says Senior Research Scientist Alexander Wentzel at SINTEF, the independent Norwegian research institute who will coordinate the project.
Industrial cluster with the resources and expertise needed
Using biotechnology, the CO2 is converted into chemicals, which then can be used to make products we use in our everyday life. The carbon in CO2 that can be used to make everything from biofuels to recyclable and degradable materials.
The project will establish a platform for CCU as part of Herøya industrial park. Herøya, located in the south of Norway, features several of most carbon-intensive industries. CCU process will benefit from close to 100% renewable electricity in the Norwegian energy grid and complement ongoing large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) efforts in Norway.
The PyroCO2 project aims to establish itself as a lighthouse for innovative CCU technologies that can benefit equally the European industries, citizens, and the environment, on the path to a climate-neutral Europe with global impact.
PyroCO2 will be coordinated by Norwegian research organization SINTEF and funded with 40 million Euros under the European research and innovation programme Horizon 2020.
The support by the Research Council of Norway for PNO consultancy during proposal development is greatly acknowledged. The expected start of this 5-years project will be in autumn 2021.
