Innovative ways to green hydrogen, modern carbon capture and utilization of (biogenic) CO2 at the CO2-Based Fuels and Chemicals Conference
The 13th edition of the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference, which will take place in Cologne from 29 to 30 April 2025, will present the milestones of innovative technologies in the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU). The conference has established itself as a fixture for networking in the field of CO2 utilization. This year’s event will focus on the increasing demand for CO₂ as a renewable carbon source for the sustainable chemical and fuel industries.
With global production capacities for CO₂-based products increasing to more than 1.5 million tons per year, the conference continues to pursue the two main objectives of strengthening CCU networks and presenting the latest innovations in the field of CO₂ utilization. The programme of the two-day event offers a comprehensive overview of current developments and covers key topics in the sector such as Power-to-X for fuels, CO₂-based chemicals, materials, polymers, mineralization, as well as pioneering new research approaches in the field of CCU. A dedicated session on innovation, strategy and policy will discuss the necessary framework conditions to incentivize the use of CO2 and promote investment in this dynamic sector.
A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the six nominees for the “Best CO2 Utlization 2025” innovation award. The award recognizes pioneering technologies and applications in the field of CCU.
More than 30 experts from leading global institutions, initiatives and companies will present established and new technologies for the efficient use of CO2 as a renewable raw material. In order to meet the needs of the CCU industry and secure a long-term supply of CO2, this year’s event will also highlight biogenic CO2 sources, efficient CO2 capture technologies and the sustainable supply of green hydrogen. The topics covered reflect the dynamic development in the CCU sector and underline the industry’s efforts to make production processes more sustainable.
The complete conference program is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/program/.
From policy to practice: promoting CCU innovations along the CO₂ value chain
As the world works towards a low-carbon future, the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference remains a key driver in the promotion of sustainable carbon utilization technologies. In dedicated sessions, industry leaders, researchers and policy makers will have the opportunity to share knowledge, showcase innovations and forge partnerships. This collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to a circular carbon economy.
Innovation, strategy and policy: CCU goes far beyond a mere technology for CO₂ removal. The use of CO₂ as a raw material offers a wide range of opportunities to actively tackle current social challenges. If implemented consistently, CCU can make a significant contribution to achieving defined sustainability goals. In order to establish CCU technologies as effective instruments for the transformation of the chemical and materials industry, greater political recognition and support is required – particularly in the EU. At the conference, experts from the nova-Institute, CO2 Value Europe, RSB, NRW.Energy4Climate and Holcim Germany will provide insights into the current and future significance of CCU for international and European policy. The discussions will focus on key topics such as sustainability, certification and the concrete integration of CCU technologies into existing value chains.
Green hydrogen production, biogenic CO2 sources and carbon capture: The success of CCU is based on several key factors: securing stable and long-term available CO₂ sources as well as the further development of efficient capture technologies and an adequate supply of renewable energy. Equally important is the provision of green hydrogen through water electrolysis and the use of biogas. These factors are crucial to sustainably converting CO₂ into chemicals, polymers and fuels. International companies such as Endrava, EIT InnoEnergy, Fortum, Revcoo, Sypox and RWE Generation, in collaboration with the University of Liège, will present innovative software-based methods for evaluating biogenic CO₂ sources. The potential of these sources for CCU will be examined using concrete case studies. In addition, advanced cryogenic processes and mobile solutions for CO₂ capture will be presented.
Converting CO2 into chemicals, fuels, polymers and materials: The use of CO₂ as a raw material for chemicals and polymers has developed in many ways in recent years. Several technologies are already in commercial use. The production of synthetic aviation fuels (SAF) in particular is currently gaining in importance, supported by political initiatives such as the European Union’s “ReFuelEU Aviation” regulation. The EU directive provides for a gradual increase in the proportion of sustainable aviation fuels. By 2030, at least 5% of the EU’s kerosene requirements are to be covered by sustainable aviation fuels. At least 0.7% of this must come from SAF. By 2035, the overall share of sustainable aviation fuels is to increase to at least 20%. At least 5% of this must consist of synthetic fuels. In this conference session, the Global CO₂ Initiative will explain the benefits of using CO₂ for sustainable aviation fuels. At the same time, companies such as SynataBio, Electrochaea, Air Liquide and Celanese will present successful methods in which CO₂ serves as a starting material for various chemicals and fuels. Research institutes such as SINTEF and Fraunhofer IFAM will be presenting new applications for CO2 together with innovative start-ups such as UP Catalyst. These range from food production and the manufacture of polyurethanes to the production of nanotubes and graphite.
Technologies for CO₂ utilization: CO2 is used for high-quality chemicals, fuels, polymers and materials with the help of chemical, electrochemical and biotechnological conversion processes. These processes offer a wide range of specific solutions with high potential for efficient CO2 utilization. Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, TNO, the Norwegian research center NORCE and VTT, together with young companies such as Carbogenesis, GIG Karasek, eChemicals, Skylea and Colipi, will present innovative approaches to CO₂ utilization.
Cutting-edge research in the field of CCU: The spectrum of CO2-based products and renewable energies ranges from platform chemicals to cross-sector and cross-value chain solutions. Researchers from AIMPLAS, COWI, Aalborg University, Università di Bologna, the University of Liverpool and the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute will present current research results in the field of CCU in this session.
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, has once again taken on the role of patron of the conference.
Further information and registration options are available at https://co2-chemistry.eu.
Partnerships and sponsoring
The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2025 is supported by numerous non-profit organizations, research institutions and interest groups that are thematically linked to the conference: BCNP Consultants (DE), BioBASE, Bundesverband Bioenergie (BBE), C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., Chemie-Cluster Bayern, CLIB – Cluster Industrial Biotechnology (DE), Global CO2 Initiative (International), IN4climate.NRW, Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern Netzwerk GmbH (IBB), kunststoffland NRW, Plastics Europe, Renewable Carbon Initiative (International), and Premium Partner CO2 Value Europe.
The innovation award “Best CO2 Utilization 2025” is sponsored by Yncoris and co-organized together with CO2 Value Europe.
Holcim and GIG Karasek support the conference as sponsors.
Further information on sponsorship and the exhibition is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/sponsoring/.
Read the entire press release now: