CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 to Focus on Scaling CCU Pathways

The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 will take place on 28–29 April 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online. The event will bring together international stakeholders from industry, research and policy to examine strategic developments, technology progress and project examples across the carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) value chain.

On 28–29 April 2026, the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 will convene international experts from industry, research and policy in Cologne, Germany, and online. The final programme highlights strategic perspectives, technology updates and project case studies, while addressing challenges linked to the integration of green hydrogen and CO2 utilisation into industrial systems.

Sessions will cover the full CCU value chain, including CO2 sources and capture, as well as CO2-based fuels, chemicals, polymers and materials. Selected examples will examine low-emission production concepts moving towards commercial application. The conference typically attracts more than 230 decision-makers working on renewable carbon strategies, with contributions combining policy outlooks and applied case studies focused on defossilising chemicals, aviation fuels and materials.

The programme is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/program/.

Discussions on green hydrogen and CO2 sourcing will open the conference. Addressing the question “When will CCU go mainstream?” (Michael Carus, nova-Institut), sessions will include certification of CO2-based fuels and chemicals (Esther Hegel, RSB), sustainability aspects of CCU (Ángel Puente, nova-Institut) and the integration of life-cycle assessments into early-stage CCU technologies (Nils Rettenmaier, ifeu). Regional hydrogen strategies will be examined, including the ramp-up status in North Rhine-Westphalia (Stefan Herrig, NRW.Energy4Climate) and the role of low-emissions hydrogen in chemical production (Maryanne Maina, TNO).

Further sessions will address CO2 sourcing, including AI-based identification of biogenic emissions (Eric Rambech, Endrava), carbon-14 measurements for determining biogenic content and quantifying CO2 capture and removal (Joséphine Gigon, SGS), and onboard carbon capture for Power-to-X fuels (Anita Demuth, PtX Lausitz). A poster pitch session will present research on the conversion of biogenic CO2 into proteins and biodegradable materials (Heleen de Wever, VITO), catalytic production of methanol-based fuels (Gia Trung Hoang, KIT) and CO2 utilisation for renewable aromatics (Snehal Pujar, TNO).

Presentations on utilisation routes will include integrated CO2 capture and methanol synthesis for cost-competitive fuels (Christian Wünsch, ICODOS) and developments in CO2-to-chemicals processes (Reinier Grimbergen, Blue Circle Olefins). Sector-focused applications will cover CO2-to-polymers catalysts for surfactants (Nick Smith, Viridi), dimethylether for defossilisation (Achim Schaadt, FH ISE) and CCU in food-related applications (Enzo Duriez, Lesaffre International).

Pilot-scale projects will be presented on electrochemical CO2 conversion (Mohammad Rezaei, GIG Karasek), low-temperature electrolysis (Tamás Födi, eChemicals), enhanced syngas production (Mariasole Cipoletta, Rosetta Marino) and ethylene production by electrolysis (Colin O’Brien, Cert Systems).

The event will also feature the “Best CO2 Utilisation” innovation award, co-organised by nova-Institute and CO2 Value Europe with sponsorship from Yncoris. Six nominees selected by experts will present their work, and three winners will be chosen through a live audience vote. The programme includes presentations, panel discussions, poster pitches and a trade exhibition, with support from gold sponsors GiG Karasek and Holcim.

Registration and further information are available at https://co2-chemistry.eu.