Platform chemicals such as ethylene are mostly produced from fossil fuels and cause significant CO₂ emissions. The EU-funded research project ‚React‘, in which the Swiss Empa is involved, aims to produce ethylene from industrial CO₂ emissions, thus closing the carbon cycle.
Ethylene, a colourless gas, is a major industrial chemical with a worldwide production exceeding 300 million tonnes per year. It is primarily used as a platform chemical: as a precursor or starting material for the production of a wide variety of chemical products, from plastics to pharmaceuticals.
Currently, the majority of ethylene is produced from fossil fuels, which causes significant CO₂ emissions. The React project aims to produce ethylene from industrial CO₂ emissions, thus offering a renewable alternative.
An innovative approach
At the heart of React lies the development of an electrochemical tandem process that converts CO₂ emissions into valuable chemical products. This process is intended to be particularly suitable for industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals, where emission reductions are difficult to achieve. By utilising renewable energy and advanced technologies, the project aims to transform the CO₂ emissions of these industries into valuable resources.
Technological advancement
Corsin Battaglia, Head of the Empa Laboratory „Materials for Energy Conversion“, explains that the project's aim is to develop a prototype electrolyser that converts CO₂ into ethylene. This involves investigating how impurities in the CO₂ off-gases affect the efficiency and lifespan of the catalyst. The team is using a parallel reactor, which allows for simultaneous experiments.
React promotes circular carbon value chains, strengthens Europe's industrial autonomy and contributes to the transition towards climate-neutral chemical production. The project also integrates innovative materials, advanced monitoring systems and digital twin technologies to improve efficiency, durability, scalability and economic viability.
Broad support
The project is coordinated by Sintef in Norway and includes 13 partners from 10 countries. It will run for 48 months from May 2026 to April 2030 and covers the entire value chain, from scientific institutions to raw material suppliers and manufacturers of polymers for the packaging industry. This collaboration aims not only to drive technological development but also to contribute to strengthening Europe's industrial autonomy.
Source: Empa
