Improving carbon circularity to help achieve climate neutrality – Cefic shares its vision on CO2 valorisation

As a society, we are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of human behaviour on our planet and health. For instance, CO₂ is the greenhouse gas responsible for 64% of man-made global warming. Recycling carbon from CO₂ – also known as chemical valorisation of CO₂ – has the potential of turning the European industry into a leader in innovative technologies towards a climate neutral and circular economy.

Carbon is an essential element of most chemical products and of a large variety of products from food to materials. Using CO₂ as feedstock can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and avoid that additional carbon needs to be dug or pumped out of the ground.

Chemical valorisation of CO₂ can be applied in the production of chemicals, polymers, materials, alternative fuels, and can provide solutions for energy storage. Various technologies have already been developed and a few demonstration plants built in Europe.

The development and deployment of CO₂ valorisation technologies entail huge investments with high risk. New innovative technologies, with a reduced environmental footprint (including carbon footprint) have to compete globally against incumbent processes which have achieved a high degree of efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for risk-sharing measures to facilitate investment in Europe, support to research and innovation at EU and national level, and a European policy framework that supports the use of CO₂ as carbon feedstock.