Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) Technologies
Context:
As the world grapples with climate change, Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) has emerged as a critical technological pathway.
It refers to a suite of technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions from industrial sources or directly from the air and convert them into useful economic products
CCU vs. CCS:
CCU removes carbon from the atmosphere and reintegrates it into the economy as inputs for fuels, chemicals, building materials, or polymers.
It is distinct from Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
While CCS involves permanently storing captured CO 2 underground (geological sequestration), CCU focuses on "using up" the captured carbon to create value-added goods.
Why Does India Needs CCU?
India is consistently the world's third-largest emitter of CO 2.
A significant portion of these emissions comes from industrial processes in sectors like power generation, cement, steel, and chemicals.
While renewable energy can decarbonise power, industrial process emissions remain inherent and difficult to eliminate without technologies like CCU.
Global Best Practices:
European Union:
The EU is integrating CCU into its Bioeconomy Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan to meet climate targets.
For instance, ArcelorMittal and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are trialling technology with D-CRBN in Belgium to convert captured CO2 into carbon monoxide for use in steel and chemical production.
United States:
The US utilises a mix of tax credits and funding to scale CCU, particularly for fuels and chemicals derived from CO2.
UAE:
Projects like Al Reyadah leverage CCU combined with green hydrogen to create chemical hubs.
Key Challenges for India:
Cost Competitiveness:
The primary risk is the high cost.
Capturing, purifying, and converting CO 2 is energy-intensive.
Without policy incentives, CCU products struggle to compete with cheaper fossil-based alternatives.
Infrastructure:
Effective deployment requires co-located industrial clusters and reliable CO 2 transport networks, which are currently unevenly developed across India's industrial regions.
Standardisation:
The absence of clear standards and certification creates market uncertainty, limiting investor confidence and demand for CO 2 derived products.