CCUS – a key technology for a more climate-friendly industry and energy supply

What does CCUS stand for?

CCUS stands for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage. The technology encompasses all processes that capture CO₂ directly at the source of emissions, then either utilise it or store it permanently to prevent its release into the atmosphere. Unlike traditional emission reduction measures, which focus primarily on avoidance, CCUS enables existing CO₂ emissions to be actively captured, thereby significantly improving the carbon footprint of industry and energy generation. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS could help reduce global CO₂ emissions by almost 20% (around 37 gigatonnes of CO₂ per year by 2050) whilst cutting the cost of climate action by around 70%.

How does CCUS work?

The process of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) comprises various phases: capture, processing and, finally, either the utilisation or storage of CO₂. Each of these steps plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the sustainable transformation of industrial processes.

1. CO₂ capture & processing:
In the first step, carbon dioxide is removed from the flue gases directly at the source of emissions – such as industrial plants or power stations. Different technologies are used depending on the concentration and composition of the flue gases. These include chemical absorption processes using solvents, membrane separation processes or adsorption methods. The aim is to isolate the CO₂ as efficiently and purely as possible in order to prepare it for further use or storage.

ASCO uses the chemical CO₂ recovery process known as amine scrubbing. This process is considered particularly mature (highest ‘Technology Readiness Level’ 9) and has been used reliably in continuous industrial operation for many decades. In this process, the flue gas is brought into contact with an amine solution in a so-called absorber. The amine specifically binds the CO₂ from the flue gas. The CO₂-enriched solution then flows into another unit, the stripper column. There, the liquid is heated with hot steam, causing the CO₂ to separate from the amine again. The released CO₂ is then collected, compressed, dehydrated and purified before finally being liquefied and stored in tanks for storage or transport.

2. CO₂ utilisation:
A particularly forward-looking aspect of CCUS is the utilisation or recycling of the recovered CO₂ as a valuable resource. Instead of allowing it to escape into the atmosphere, CO₂ can be reused in numerous industrial sectors – an important contribution to the circular economy.

• In the chemical industry, CO₂ serves as a feedstock for the production of methanol, urea or polymers. These products are used in fertilisers, plastics and pharmaceutical products.
   
• In combination with green hydrogen, CO₂ can be processed into synthetic fuels such as e-methane or e-kerosene. These climate-neutral alternatives are particularly significant for aviation and heavy goods transport.
   
• CO₂ is also used in the building materials industry: it can be mineralised and permanently incorporated into cement and concrete production. This not only reduces emissions but also, in some cases, improves the material properties.

These diverse applications demonstrate that CO₂ is not merely a waste product, but can be a valuable raw material – provided it is used intelligently and sustainably.

3. CO₂ storage:
Where direct use is not possible or economically viable, the captured CO₂ is stored permanently. This usually takes place in geological formations such as depleted natural gas or oil fields, or deep saline aquifers. Storage prevents the CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, thereby contributing to long-term emissions reduction.

One of the best-known projects is the Sleipner field in Norway, which came on stream in 1996 and is operated by Equinor. Since then, Equinor has been injecting around 1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually into the Utsira Formation in the North Sea, making Sleipner the first commercial CCUS project. Following a period of uncertainty and project cancellations in the 2010s, primarily due to high costs and a lack of political support, CCUS has received a renewed boost in recent years from the European Union, which views CCUS as a key technology for achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Programmes such as the “EU Innovation Fund” and initiatives in the North Sea coastal states are promoting new CO₂ storage projects, particularly through cooperation between industry and governments. Several large-scale CCUS projects are currently under development, such as Northern Lights in Norway, which transports and stores CO₂ across borders, as well as new projects in the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark.  

Benefits and advantages of CCUS

CCUS offers a wide range of benefits. Greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced, particularly in emission-intensive industries such as steel or cement production. Furthermore, CCUS acts as a key bridging technology for the energy transition by enabling the use of fossil resources with a lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, the use of captured CO₂ opens up new economic opportunities by utilising CO₂ as a raw material in a wide variety of sectors. Particularly in industries where it is difficult to avoid emissions entirely – the so-called ‘hard-to-abate industries’ – CCUS offers a practical and sustainable solution.

Current status and future prospects of CCUS

CCUS is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Many projects are still at the demonstration or pilot stage, but the first large-scale plants are already in operation – particularly in North America, Europe and Asia. The technology is constantly evolving, leading to falling costs and increasing efficiency. Policy measures such as CO₂ taxes and support schemes like the “EU Innovation Fund” are helping to drive the expansion of CCUS. In the future, CCUS is expected to become more deeply integrated into industrial value chains, opening up increased opportunities for the utilisation of CO₂. Technological progress, combined with policy incentives, makes CCUS a central element of modern climate strategies.

Opportunities for industrial companies

Industrial companies should actively incorporate CCUS into their sustainability strategy. This begins with a detailed analysis of their own emissions profiles to identify suitable technologies for capture and utilisation. Collaboration with technology providers, research institutions and infrastructure projects is crucial for successful implementation. Investments in CO₂ capture plants as well as in utilisation and storage solutions enable a significant improvement in the carbon footprint. At the same time, this opens up new business opportunities. Transparent communication of CCUS measures also strengthens the company’s sustainable image among customers and partners.

ASCO – Your partner for efficient CO₂ capture

ASCO offers innovative CO₂ recovery systems that are specifically tailored to the needs of industrial customers. Our solutions enable the efficient recovery, processing and utilisation of CO₂ as a valuable resource. With many years of experience and technical expertise, ASCO supports companies in achieving their climate targets whilst increasing resource efficiency. In this way, we make an active contribution to the sustainable transformation of industry.