Decarbonizing global industries is technically possible, experts say

Harmful emissions from the industrial sector could be reduced by up to 85% globally, according to a new study. The sector, which includes iron and steel, chemicals, cement, and food and beverage, emits around a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, gases that warm the world. planet and lead to climate change and extreme weather conditions.

A new study, led by the University of Leeds as part of its contribution to the UK Energy Research Center (UKERC), has found that decarbonising the sector is technically possible with a mix of ‘high and low’ technologies. low maturity” – those that are tried and tested, as well as upcoming technologies that are not yet ready for use in the industry.

Lead author of the study, Ahmed Gailani, a researcher in industrial decarbonization at the School of Chemical and Process Engineering in Leeds, said: “Decarbonization is a global priority for governments, businesses and society as a whole, because it plays an essential role in limiting global warming.

“Our results represent a major step forward in the design of industrial decarbonization strategies and provide a truly encouraging outlook for the future health of the planet.”

Net zero emissions objective

The UK has committed to reducing its GHG emissions to zero by 2050, meaning it will remove as many harmful gases from the atmosphere as it emits.

This new research, published in the journal Joule, looked at ways the industry could achieve this. It found that established “medium to high maturity” technologies that involve carbon capture and storage, or switching to hydrogen or biomass, can save on average almost 85% of emissions in most industrial sectors.

It also suggests that low-maturity electric technologies, such as electric steam crackers, which are key equipment for producing petrochemicals, can theoretically decarbonize between 40% and 100% of the sector’s direct emissions. Other new electrification technologies can also help reduce emissions from energy-intensive processes such as steel, cement and ceramics, which in some cases was not previously thought possible.

Some of the study’s findings have already been included in a consultation on industrial electrification led by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Industrial products such as steel, chemicals and cement are widely used in the global economy. The demand and production of these materials have increased significantly in recent decades, leading to high energy consumption and GHG emissions. However, global industrial emissions will need to be nearly eliminated to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Peter Taylor, co-author of the study and Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems in the Schools of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Process Engineering at Leeds, said: “Industrial decarbonisation is a challenge by compared to other sectors, but it can be achieved if evidence is based. The strategies are designed to enable the development of new technologies, encourage investment in related infrastructure and reduce other barriers that prevent businesses from taking action.

He added: “For the UK, if we do not decarbonise industry we will not meet our climate change targets and ultimately industry will move elsewhere because, in the long term, people will look for products made in a clean and green environment. and if our industry cannot produce these products, it will become the industry of the past and not the industry of the future. »

Additional obstacles

Dr Gailani said the study describes decarbonisation of the sector as “technically possible”, because although the researchers looked at applicable technologies, they did not take into account other barriers, such as those related to problems social, economic or infrastructure.

He added: “We wanted to be explicit that we were focusing on the technical side of industrial decarbonization. There are, of course, many other obstacles to overcome. For example, if carbon capture and storage technologies are needed but the means to transport CO₂ are not yet in place, this lack of infrastructure will delay the process of reducing emissions. There is still a lot of work to do.”

The adoption of many industrial decarbonization technologies is currently impacted by high investment and operating costs, even if their technical challenges can be solved. Electrification technologies typically have operational costs two to three times higher than fossil fuel-based technologies due to the higher cost of electricity in many markets.

The study was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Bath and Imperial College London and assessed the technical emissions and energy saving potential of leading emissions reduction technologies .

The team reviewed published research and other data sources to find applicable abatement options across industries and their Technology Readiness Level (TRL). They reached the 85% figure by calculating the emissions reduction potential of the most promising technologies in each sector and taking the average. The sectors analyzed were iron and steel; chemical products; cement and lime; Food and drink; pulp and paper; glass; aluminum, refining and ceramics.

UKERC Director, Professor Rob Gross, said: “Industrial decarbonisation is an important research priority for UKERC, as finding the most appropriate solutions requires a whole systems approach. Many of the most promising industrial reduction options rely on access to supporting infrastructure, whether it be hydrogen. and co₂ pipelines or improved electrical connections.

Further research

Dr Gailani said the research was an important first step in helping policymakers understand the potential of different emissions reduction technologies that could be used in each industrial sector and therefore help them make informed decisions on the best path forward. to be continued.

However, the team also noted that further research is needed to understand the practical potential for implementing these technologies in different countries and regions. This would require a thorough understanding of local conditions, including socio-economic context, policies, markets and regulations, business models, infrastructure and resource availability.