On the benefits and advantages of CCU, the Nova Institute has published a recent background report.

 

The report, "Making a Case for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) - it is much more than just a carbon removal technology," by the Nova Institute on behalf of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) on the use of CO2 for chemicals, fuels, polymers, proteins and minerals, makes a clear case for the technology. The RCI is a coalition of more than 60 international companies, SMEs and startups whose central goal is to facilitate the transition from fossil to renewable carbon in all chemicals and materials.
 
Without the use of carbon dioxide, there will be no sustainable future, according to the Nova Institute's background report. Among other things, the technology enabled fossil carbon substitution in sectors that require carbon, supported the complete defossilization of the chemical and materials industries, created a circular economy and promoted sustainable carbon cycles. Without CCU, they say, only recycling and biomass remain to meet all non-fossil carbon needs in the future. Therefore, the report's authors advocate for CCU as one of the three available options for renewable carbon supply. The authors see the fact that CCU could supply renewable carbon for industries that require carbon in the long term and could thus replace fossil carbon as a key advantage, citing the chemical sector and the production of polymers, plastics, solvents, paints, detergents, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals as examples. However, the potential is said to be not yet sufficiently recognized by political decision-makers. Yet the technology offered multiple solutions to pressing problems of the modern world and, if properly implemented, could support the achievement of several sustainable development goals. In total, the paper describes and discusses 14 different benefits and advantages of CCU and recommends 12 policy actions to fully realize these benefits.
 
For more information: to download the background report
 
Sources:

• plastverarbeiter.de (July 18, 2023)
• Photo: © Nova-Institut