(511e) Flue2Chem: Designing Sustainable Ccu Supply Chains for Biogenic CO2-to-Alcohols-to-Olefins

1. Problem statement
The Flue2Chem project seeks to transform industrial carbon dioxide emissions into valuable chemicals, thereby reducing reliance on fossil-derived feedstocks and supporting the UK’s net-zero targets by 2050 [1]. A key challenge in this transition is securing a sustainable source of CO2 for conversion. Biogenic CO2 emissions from the UK paper industry present a promising opportunity, as this sector emits significant quantities of CO2 that could be captured and utilised rather than released into the atmosphere [2]. Beyond emissions reduction, integrating carbon capture in paper mills could enable negative emissions when combined with permanent storage or utilisation strategies. The sector’s high-purity biogenic CO2 stream makes it particularly well-suited for retrofitting paper mills with post-combustion carbon capture technologies [3]. Utilising this CO2 to produce alcohols and then olefins offer a pathway to significantly lower the product carbon footprint of key chemicals and supporting a more circular and sustainable chemical industry [4].

2. Novelty and methodology
This study aims to assess the feasibility of utilising captured biogenic CO2 to produce alcohols and subsequently olefins, which are essential intermediates in the chemical industry. As part of the Flue2Chem project, we focus on optimally designing the carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) supply chains, addressing key factors such as the integration of CO2 capture, the supply and logistics of green hydrogen, and the choice between distributed versus centralised manufacturing in terms of facility location. The proposed framework adopts a multi-objective optimisation approach, seeking to balance the trade-offs between economic feasibility and environmental impact minimisation.
This comprehensive approach addresses both technological and logistical challenges throughout the entire supply chain, from CO2 capture and green H2 supply to alcohol and olefin production. It builds on the novel process developed within the Flue2Chem project, which enables the direct catalytic conversion of CO2 into alcohols (primarily methanol and ethanol), and integrates the previously conducted techno-economic analysis of this process. By incorporating this analysis, the work focuses on optimising key supply chain elements, including the location and size of facilities (for CO2 capture, CO2-to-alcohols, and alcohols-to-olefins plants), logistics, and the evaluation of distributed vs. centralised manufacturing. This integrated approach plays a key role in driving the transition toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient chemical industry.

3. Expected results and future work
Although this CCU pathway is expected to introduce higher costs than conventional fossil-based production, primarily due to reliance on green hydrogen, it offers significant potential for reducing carbon footprints and improving industrial sustainability. The proposed methodology serves as a valuable decision-support tool for evaluating different deployment scenarios and enables the development of a robust optimisation framework that accounts for uncertainties in costs, hydrogen supply, and market conditions.
A key objective of this study is to inform policymakers by identifying economic and regulatory interventions that can accelerate CCU adoption. Future work will explore policy mechanisms such as carbon pricing, subsidies, and infrastructure investments to enhance CCU economic viability. This aligns with recent studies on policy-induced demand for CCUS, which highlight the role of regulatory incentives in driving cost reductions and industrial adoption [5]. By providing data-driven insights, this study aims to support policy development that facilitates a transition to a more sustainable and circular chemical industry.

References
[1] SCI – Flue2Chem, 2023. https://www.soci.org/flue2chem (accessed 2/4/2025)

[2] Onarheim, K., Santos, S., Kangas, P., Hankalin, V., 2017. Performance and costs of CCS in the pulp and paper industry part 1: Performance of amine-based post-combustion CO2 capture. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 59, 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2017.02.008

[3] Furszyfer Del Rio, D.D., Sovacool, B.K., Griffiths, S., Bazilian, M., Kim, J., Foley, A.M., Rooney, D., 2022. Decarbonizing the pulp and paper industry: A critical and systematic review of sociotechnical developments and policy options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 167, 112706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112706

[4] Charles, M., Narayan, K.B., Edmonds, J., Yu, S., 2024. The role of the pulp and paper industry in achieving net zero U.S. CO2 emissions in 2050. Energy and Climate Change 5, 100160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2024.100160

[5] Oluleye, G., Ofori-Atta, C., 2024. Can Regional or Global Policy-Induced Demand Pull from Refineries Make CCUS Economically Viable? Proceedings of the 17th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-17). http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5075805