Please describe the tasks performed by the "Coordination and Communication" subproject at Carbon2Chem®.

Torsten Müller: Our focus is supporting the coordinators of the joint project: Prof. Robert Schlögl, Prof. Görge Deerberg, and Dr. Markus Oles. In addition, we operate as an interface both internally and externally. This means ensuring transparency within the consortium, between the consortium and overall coordination, between subprojects, and between individual partners. On the other hand, we communicate our results and expertise to the outside world. This is done, for example, at our annual conference on sustainable chemical conversion in industry or in our workshop series "Every day for future." In addition, we regularly publish the status of our research in special issues of the trade journal CIT – Chemie Ingenieur Technik. Furthermore, we comment on current issues relating to carbon management and carbon capture and utilization (CCU).

 

Has the focus changed with the transition to the third phase of Carbon2Chem®?

Regarding our work on the "Coordination and Communication" subproject, that's not really the case. However, the focus has naturally shifted in terms of content. The second phase of Carbon2Chem® primarily focused on scaling and transferring the CCU solutions we developed. In the third phase, we are specifically addressing industrial implementation and focusing not only on the steel industry, but also on sectors such as waste management and lime production.

Applied to the subproject, this means that we are preparing new information for external communication. The new project partners who joined in the third phase, including the FernUniversität in Hagen, play a major role in reaching this goal. These partners must be integrated into internal processes. At the same time, their expertise and content must be incorporated into external communications. Specifically, in this third phase, we will delve deeper into the regulatory area. With the help of legal and social science experts, we aim to add new topics related to the implementation of CCU solutions.

 

Why do social sciences play a greater role in phase three?

Torsten Müller: In the first two phases of Carbon2Chem®, we discovered a significant gap between our understanding of carbon management and CCU and the knowledge held by society. This is, of course, relevant, especially regarding the acceptance of new carbon recycling technologies. Therefore, we will focus on developing communication formats that enable us to engage and involve people in industrial transformation.

 

What are the most essential findings from over eight years of research and development? And how have these findings been communicated to the outside world?

Torsten Müller: We have developed a comprehensive overview. How does CCU fit into the overarching topic of carbon management? We have developed methods and tools for the industry- and location-specific development and evaluation of CCU application concepts. Methods for the systemic analysis of CCU processes and products have also been developed. We have proven the suitability of commercially available catalysts and processes, gaining important insights in the field of CO₂ capture and processing. In addition, we have built and operated various plants on different scales. These include a demonstration plant for sustainable methanol production.

We presented these results in detail in the aforementioned thematic brochures. To address a broader audience, we entered the results into an interactive theme table. This table was used at various events and offers a less detailed, more playful approach to the subject. We also made various videos about our plants available on our website. We presented the results in detail at our larger conferences in 2020 and 2024.

Several of our research results have also been incorporated into the traveling exhibition "Power2Change — Mission Energy Transition." Designed for the public, the exhibition explores what the path to a climate-neutral future could look like.

 

The third phase focuses on the sustainable production of methanol, considering the end products. At the beginning of Carbon2Chem®, other process routes were investigated as well. What became of them?

Torsten Müller: During the first two phases of Carbon2Chem®, subprojects focused on higher alcohols, polymers, urea, and oxymethylene ether were conducted. We evaluated all these subprojects but did not pursue them further for various reasons. In some cases, we lacked the appropriate industry partners, and in others, implementation was not economically feasible under the current conditions.

 

What are the current chances of CCU technologies being implemented in the industry?

Torsten Müller: There are various levels to this. First, there is a desire to transition away from fossil carbon sources. CCU is an integral part of carbon management because it recycles carbon and replaces carbon fossils. However, CCU processes require additional renewable energy. The carbon must be separated from exhaust gases and purified for further use. Additionally, as of now, no CCU solution has been approved by the relevant authorities.

In this regard, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has a better standing: although the costs of purifying CO2 are incurred, it is recognized as CO2 emission avoidance within the framework of emissions trading. In other words, if a company that produces CO2 can prove it's storing the gas instead of emitting it, this is counted as emission avoidance.

In summary, it can be said that the economic basis for a company to invest in CCU is currently lacking.

 

For companies interested in CO₂ recycling, Carbon2Chem® has proven that its developed concepts and technologies work!

Torsten Müller: Exactly! At our 2024 conference, Görge Deerberg made it clear that the methanol produced in Carbon2Chem® is just as good as the kind you can buy in bottles. Part of our work in phase three is aimed at proving that.

So far, we have primarily used sustainably produced methanol internally for projects, such as for an emission-free, CO₂-neutral fuel for the eMethanol car. Now, we want to implement it in other areas and prove that our methanol is of the same quality as natural gas-based methanol. One initial step is our collaboration with the "Power2Polymers" project, whrerin which our methanol is first converted into paraformaldehyde and then into novel polyols. These polyols form the basis for adhesives, coating materials, lubricants, and sealants.