In a common effort, orchestrated by DG Energy, the three organizations EUROFER (steel industry), CEFIC (chemical industry) and CEMbureau (cement industry) revealed to an audience of more than 100 industrials, technicians, academics and policy makers, their intentions to reduce the GHG emissions from their industries.

In the introduction by the general directors, the associations emphasized the efforts that their industry members are investing in research to lower the energy consumption of their technologies. But carbon is an essential reactant and feedstock for chemicals and steel, and cannot be replaced by other elements in an economical way. That’s why, amongst other solutions, industries have started working on the re-use and valorisation of carbon from industrial emissions. In the presentations by the industrial members of the associations different technologies were highlighted. Their potential of CO2 emission reduction was illustrated, sometimes compared to commonly known examples. The creation of value and employment by the new technologies were also mentioned. ArcelorMittal explained the purpose and GHG impact of the STEELANOL technology in the steel making part of session 1 . Carl Wolf (replacing Jennifer Holmgren) of Lanza Tech gave more information about the gas fermentation technology in the afternoon’s session 2. But all speakers came to the same conclusion that without a new legal EU framework, to create and support market conditions for their low C-foot print products, none of the technologies can survive financially.

In the panel discussion about policy requirements the different speakers summarized the ambitions of the industry and how policy maker could consider these in the future. Speaking for DG Energy mrs. Marie Donnelly gave some rough indications of what could be expected by the revision of the new Renewable Energy Directive. In this RED a new category of fuels is defined : the waste based fossil fuels. This document came out on November 30, and can be consulted at the website : https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/news/commission-proposes-new-rules-consumer-centred-clean-energy-transition