Turning CO2 into Fuel: A Collaborative Effort in Europe
Key Ideas
  • ECO2Fly project showcases how captured CO2 from a cement plant in Spain is being used to produce sustainable aviation fuel with the help of green hydrogen, aiming to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
  • Multiple projects in Europe involving partnerships between cement plants and aviation companies are underway, with a focus on utilizing captured CO2 to create e-SAF and contributing to the decarbonization efforts in the industry.
  • The collaborative efforts between the aviation and cement sectors not only aim to reduce emissions but also demonstrate the potential for emerging technologies to drive sustainable practices and create circular economies.
  • Despite the need for funding and competition from other decarbonization technologies, the projects show promise in scaling globally and aiding both industries in achieving net-zero emissions targets.
The ECO2Fly project, led by Holcim in Spain, is at the forefront of transforming captured CO2 emissions from cement plants into sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) using green hydrogen. This innovative approach is expected to produce 10,000tpa of aviation fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by 6.5Mt within the first decade. The project also involves storing any excess CO2 in geological repositories. Europe is pioneering similar initiatives, such as Concrete Chemicals' plan to produce e-SAF from a cement plant in Germany with a EUR350m grant from the European Commission. The collaboration between cement and aviation companies is seen as a crucial step in decarbonizing the hard-to-abate industries. Projects like the one between Cemex, Rüdersdorf cement plant, and ENERTRAG-IPCEI in Germany aim to produce e-kerosene by combining CO2 and hydrogen, while Stuttgart Airport, Schwenk Zement, and SkyNRG in Germany are working on producing e-SAF to support Stuttgart Airport's net-zero emissions goal by 2040. Additionally, Finnsementti Oy in Finland is partnering with Kemira chemical plant to produce synthetic methanol, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to utilizing captured CO2 in fuel production. By converting cement plant emissions into green aviation fuel, these projects not only contribute to climate protection but also showcase the potential of circular economies in reducing emissions. While funding and competition remain challenges, the collaborative efforts between the aviation and cement sectors hold promise in advancing sustainable practices and moving towards a net-zero emissions future.
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