Carbon capture and Utilisation (CCU) applies to a wide range of applications that either use carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of a conversion process, for the fabrication or synthesis of new products (e.g. methanol, urea, polymers, building materials), or in non-conversion processes, where CO2 is used (e.g. as a solvent, for food & beverages or in greenhouses).

Whilst some CCU applications can make a significant contribution to climate change abatement, the climate change benefits of other CCU applications is less clear. ZEP therefore advocates that rigorous life-cycle analysis should be applied, to ensure that each application of CCU is comprehensively assessed on its ability to contribute to long-term climate mitigation.

ZEP has analysed the potential market size for different CCU products and processes in Europe. The analysis suggests that CCU will only be able to address a small proportion of the emissions that will need to be abated to meet EU climate targets. Therefore, the majority of captured CO2 emissions (from various CO2 sources such as industry and power) will need to be permanently stored.

Read the following ZEP reports for more information:

  • CCU – carbon capture and utilisation
  • Climate solutions for EU industry: interaction between electrification, CO2 use and CO2 storage

The organisation CO2 Value Europe was created to act as “The European Think & Do Tank dedicated to the conversion of CO2 into valuable products”. Find out more about CO2 Value Europe here.