Imagine a machine that breathes in pollution and water, then uses electricity to turn them into the basic building blocks for plastics. Instead of using oil and heat, it uses a special ceramic filter to rearrange molecules. It's like a high-tech recycling plant that turns greenhouse gases into valuable industrial ingredients.
The chemical industry relies on energy-intensive naphtha and ethane cracking, which emits 2 to 5 tons of CO2 per ton of olefins produced. This creates a heavy dependence on fossil fuels and high carbon footprints.
Co-ionic ceramic membrane reactors and nano-engineered catalysts. These include 3D planar and tubular configurations and dual-phase composites for proton and oxygen conduction.
If you are a chemical manufacturer dealing with high CO2 emissions from steam-cracking—this project developed co-ionic ceramic reactors that convert CO2 and H2O into light olefins. This replaces petroleum-based production with a carbon-negative process.
If you are an energy provider dealing with excess renewable electricity—this project developed a single-step Power2X system. It merges steam electrolysis with CO2 conversion to create high-value chemicals instead of just hydrogen.
If you are a polymer producer dealing with the volatility of naphtha prices—this project developed nano-engineered catalysts that achieve over 16% yields to light olefins. This allows for a stable, electricity-driven supply chain for C2-4= building blocks.
Based on available project data, specific cost figures are not provided, though the project includes digital real-scale process modelling and economic evaluation to determine this.
The project is currently in the development phase, having created 3D planar and tubular configurations and tested catalysts in electrochemical reactors. It is not yet at full industrial scale.
Based on available project data, there are no specific details regarding licensing or patents, but the consortium includes a mix of universities and industry partners for development.
The technology is designed as an all-electric replacement for naphtha or ethane thermal-cracking, utilizing electrochemical membrane reactors.
The project runs from 2023-10-01 to 2026-09-30, suggesting that commercial readiness would follow the conclusion of this research phase.
The consortium is composed of 8 partners across 6 countries, showing a strong European research footprint. With a 25% industry ratio (2 industrial partners, including 1 SME), the project balances academic research from 4 universities and 2 research institutes with practical commercial application goals.
Contact the National Centre for Research and Technological Development (REC) in Greece.
Contact us to connect with the ECOLEFINS consortium for early-stage technology licensing.
