The case for CCU: carbon dioxide as feedstock

Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere and converting them into valuable products such as chemicals, fuels, and materials. Unlike CCS, which primarily focuses on storing carbon underground, CCU keeps carbon in circulation, offering a circular alternative to traditional linear systems.

The RCI report emphasizes that CCU is not merely a carbon removal technology but a pivotal solution to multiple global challenges. By replacing fossil carbon with renewable alternatives, CCU supports the defossilization of essential industries, including chemicals, plastics, and aviation, sectors where alternatives like electrification are impractical.

Benefits of CCU: A Multi-Faceted Approach

The report identifies several key advantages of CCU:

1. Substituting Fossil Carbon: CCU provides a renewable source of carbon, essential for producing polymers, paints, detergents, and pharmaceuticals.
2. Closing the Emissions Gap: CCU helps mitigate unavoidable emissions from industries like cement and steel by integrating captured carbon into new products.
3. Driving Renewable Energy Expansion: By converting surplus renewable energy into storable carbon-based fuels, CCU addresses grid stability and energy storage challenges.
4. Fostering Innovation and Job Creation: CCU stimulates technological advancements and economic opportunities, paving the way for new industries and skillsets.
5. Promoting Regional Self-Sufficiency: By leveraging local CO2 sources and renewable energy, CCU reduces reliance on imported fossil feedstocks.

CCU in a Circular Economy

At its core, CCU aligns seamlessly with the principles of a circular economy. It enables the continuous reuse of carbon, reducing reliance on virgin fossil inputs. The RCI report envisions a future where carbon remains in the technosphere—cycled through products, processes, and recycling systems—thereby minimizing its environmental impact. This concept, termed “Circular EconomyPLUS,” integrates CCU with other renewable carbon sources like biomass and recycling, ensuring a sustainable carbon supply for generations.

Addressing Scope 3 Emissions

Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from the entire value chain, are among the hardest to address. For industries like chemicals and materials, where embedded carbon is indispensable, CCU offers a viable pathway. By replacing fossil carbon with renewable alternatives, CCU ensures that end-of-life emissions are balanced by carbon uptake during production, achieving a net-zero impact.

Policy Support

Despite its potential, CCU adoption faces significant challenges, including regulatory hurdles and competition from established fossil-based industries. The report calls for a unified policy framework to support CCU, highlighting the need for:

• Clear targets for scaling up CCU technologies.
• Incentives for industries to adopt CCU-based solutions.
• Investments in renewable energy infrastructure, a prerequisite for CCU success.

By aligning policy measures with the urgency of climate goals, governments can accelerate the deployment of CCU technologies and create a conducive environment for innovation.

CCU in 2050

The RCI report paints an optimistic picture of CCU’s potential. By 2050, CCU could supply up to 25% of the carbon demand for chemicals and materials, with the remaining needs met by recycling (55%) and biomass (20%). This shift would significantly reduce reliance on fossil carbon, contributing to global defossilization efforts.

Moreover, CCU’s role extends beyond traditional industries. In aviation and shipping, CCU-based synthetic fuels offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based options. In construction, CCU-derived materials like CO2-infused concrete provide durable and eco-friendly solutions.

CCU as a complement

While CCU holds immense promise, its success depends on overcoming key challenges:

1. Energy Intensity: CCU processes require substantial renewable energy inputs, necessitating a robust and expanded green energy infrastructure.
2. Economic Viability: Scaling up CCU technologies to compete with established fossil-based systems requires significant investment and innovation.
3. Public Perception: Educating stakeholders about CCU’s benefits is crucial to garnering widespread support and adoption.

The RCI report advocates for a balanced approach, where CCU complements other climate solutions like CCS and renewable energy. By integrating these technologies, society can tackle the dual challenges of reducing emissions and ensuring a sustainable carbon supply.

Call to action

The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s report makes a compelling case for embracing CCU as a cornerstone of sustainable industrial transformation. By substituting fossil carbon with renewable alternatives, CCU addresses climate change at its root, fostering innovation, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.

As we chart the path toward a net-zero future, the role of CCU cannot be overstated. Policymakers, industries, and researchers must collaborate to unlock its full potential, ensuring that carbon becomes a resource rather than a liability. The case for CCU is clear—it’s time to turn vision into action.

For more details, the full report by Christopher vom Berg and Michael Carus is available at the Renewable Carbon Initiative’s website.

Source: Making a Case for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) by Christopher vom Berg and Michael Carus, Renewable Carbon Initiative, July 2023.