GEAR: Technological and Socio-Economic Strategies for a Sustainable Chemical Industry. (IOF3012)

In the transition towards a climate neutral society, chemical industry is facing huge challenges. In order to limit consequences of global climate change, it is paramount to develop new and intensified technologies that allow reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower energy-intensity, contribute to carbon neutrality and allow replacement of traditional fossil-based feedstocks by renewable production pathways. The European Union has put in place a legally binding framework to deliver on its pledges under the Paris Agreement and it is successfully transitioning towards climate neutrality by 2050. The Flemish government has initiated an ambitious moonshot program that aims to develop and realize new and unique technology by 2040, that will make the intended transition of the Flemish energy-intensive industry to a carbon-smart economy by 2050 possible. Thus, besides the huge technological needs and challenges, there is a clear societal and political necessity for innovation in chemical industry.
The presently proposed GEAR-program GreenChem aims at the valorisation of our innovative generic research in the field of sustainable chemistry and intensified separation technology through collaboration with chemical industry. We will combine the expertise of CHIS in the field of chemical engineering with the know-how of the IES team in the field of environment and sustainable Development to achieve an integrated approach, which not only considers technological challenges but also the economic and legislative framework, such that feasible solutions can be proposed to meet the demands of our society and industry..

Keywords:sustainable chemical industry

Disciplines:Sustainable chemistry not elsewhere classified

Project type:Collaboration project