Is CO2 the Key to a Sustainable Energy Future?

A number of challenges around the Sustainable Energy Transition must be solved before the world can move to a fully decarbonized way of life.

For example, innovative initiatives are ongoing to construct roads and houses with pitch or cement that is able to capture CO₂, removing this from the atmosphere and thus reducing the carbon footprint of the roads or buildings.

Mattresses manufactured from synthetic polyurethane foam are being created using recycled CO2, and there is increasing potential to consume foods grown using CO₂-based fertilizers supplied in an entirely sustainable and self-sufficient way.

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The Role of CO₂ in the Future of Sustainable Transport

In the transport sector, a more sustainable future is already being realized, inspired by the way that plants and microorganisms convert CO₂ into energy.

This concept has underpinned the development of biofuels capable of satisfying the increasing need for sustainable energy in future transport applications. It is anticipated that by the year 2030, the ongoing development of novel technologies will see both aircraft powered by fuel (kerosene) synthesized from CO₂ and trucks running on synthetic fuels derived from CO₂.

This dependency on fossil fuels is likely to be substantially reduced to promote carbon-neutral mobility and to aid in the fight against climate change.

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E-Fuels for Carbon Neutral Mobility

Decarbonizing the transport sector requires a strong focus on the widespread adoption of synthetic and sustainable fuels to drive CO₂ mitigation and turn climate ambitions into actionable outcomes.

For a fuel to be deemed “sustainable,” it must contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions throughout its entire lifecycle. Additionally, it is crucial to evaluate other environmental impacts, such as the consumption of fresh water in production processes or the potential for deforestation.

Synthetic fuels, including e-fuels and biofuels, are liquid fuels similar in form to conventional hydrocarbons like diesel or gasoline. However, unlike these traditional fuels, synthetic fuels are not derived from fossil sources.

Instead, these sustainable liquids are produced by reacting renewable hydrogen with CO₂ captured from industrial processes. The CO₂ used in this production is balanced by the CO₂ emitted during the combustion of the e-fuel, creating a carbon-neutral cycle.

This innovative approach not only supports CO₂ reduction but also presents new economic opportunities, paving the way for a circular economy with reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

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What is Considered a Green Fuel?

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To be classified as a “green fuel,” the energy used in its production must be renewable, such as the electricity used in the electrolysis process to separate hydrogen and oxygen.

In the aviation sector, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have emerged as a viable alternative to fossil-derived aviation fuels, with SAF already being used in commercial flights. Studies have shown that the use of SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80 %.

The physical and chemical characteristics of SAF are nearly identical to those of traditional aviation fuels, allowing SAF to be blended with conventional fuels in varying proportions.

These sustainable fuels are fully compatible with existing infrastructure and do not require modifications to engines, making them “drop-in” fuels that can be seamlessly integrated into current fuel supplies.

E-fuels are required to meet three key requirements:

• These fuels must be sustainable, continuous resources that avoid depletion while ensuring social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
• They must be produced using raw materials other than carbon, petroleum, or natural gas.
• They must meet technical standards and obtain the necessary certifications for use in commercial aircraft.

Technologies for Producing Drop-In Biofuels

Technologies used to produce drop-in biofuels can generally be divided into four primary categories:

• Oleochemical
• Thermochemical
• Biochemical
• Hybrid processes

Challenges and Opportunities of Low-Carbon Fuels

Many companies are currently producing or working toward the commercialization of bio-jet fuel, though they are at various stages of technological development.

It is crucial to emphasize that emissions remain a key factor in evaluating any technology’s value, as they are the true measure of a biofuel’s effectiveness and the associated cost of reducing carbon emissions.

The challenges involved in commercializing low-carbon fuels can vary depending on the technology used. Some processes, like gasification-Fischer Tropsch, require significant capital investment, while others depend on costly raw materials.

The production of biofuels from hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) or hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) has already been successfully commercialized, but the commercialization of other methods is still in progress.

Conclusion

While technological challenges are crucial in the development of these fuels, sustainability and cost ultimately determine whether a technology will succeed.

The use of CO₂ as a core material or co-reactant presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This approach not only drives the search for new decarbonization solutions across the chemical industry but also reduces dependency on fossil fuels in transportation.

AIMPLAS is ready to support companies tackling the challenges of decarbonization, the adoption of more sustainable fuels, and the design of catalysts to overcome these hurdles.

Acknowledgments

Produced from materials originally authored by AIMPLAS.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by AIMPLAS.

For more information on this source, please visit AIMPLAS.