The BMWK has launched a funding program worth 3.3 billion euros for companies that want to significantly reduce heir CO₂ emissions.
 

Energy-intensive companies, especially SMEs, that convert their plants to be climate-neutral will be reimbursed a large part of the investment costs, as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens) announced last week in Berlin. The new funding under the “Bundesförderung Industrie und Klimaschutz (BIK)” directive is intended to supplement the climate protection contracts and, according to Habeck, is initially aimed specifically at medium-sized production companies in the glass, paper and ceramics industries, which are to be supported in converting tolow-CO₂ processes. The funding program is set to run until 2030, with annual funding competitions planned. Funding is to come from the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF). According to the information provided, the funding opportunities start from a project size of 500,000 euros for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and one million euros for large companies. From a project volume of 15 million euros, co-financing by the federal states of 30 percent is planned. The funding guideline comprises two modules: Module 1 is intended to address projects to avoid CO₂. In Module 2, investments and innovations in the area of CO₂ capture, storage and utilization (CCU/CCS) for CO₂ emissions that are difficult to avoid are to be funded. In Module 2, research projects in the fields of basic chemicals, including primary plastics production, can be funded.
 
Sources:

• BMWK press release (23.8.2024)
• Photo: © Jas Min / unsplash.com (symbolic image)