The coming industrial transition will be driven by more than energy and climate concerns. Emerging circular-economy principles are spurring the recycling of materials in general – and carbon in particular. The toughest challenge will be transforming the so-called hard-to-abate sectors: steel, cement, and chemicals.
The C2PAT project offers a compelling blueprint. It captures CO₂ from cement production and, together with locally generated renewable hydrogen, converts the carbon into feedstocks for polymers and synthetic fuels.
Making such concepts routine will require end-to-end circular-carbon management – beginning with rigorous carbon accounting and extending through storage and utilization.
