10.02.2026

CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 – Strategic Pathways for Scaling Carbon Capture and Utilisation

Leading global event on Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) to discuss green hydrogen strategies, cost-competitive e-fuels, CO₂-to-polymers and materials 

On 28–29 April 2026 the CO₂-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 once again gathers international experts from industry, research and policy in Cologne, Germany, and online. This year’s final programme delivers a sharpened focus on strategic outlooks, technology updates and project examples, while also addressing real-world integration challenges for green hydrogen and CO₂ utilisation. Sessions on key topics offer participants rare insights into actionable pathways beyond lab concepts. Experts provide detailed coverage along the entire CCU value chain, from CO₂ sources and capture to CO₂-based fuels, chemicals, polymers and materials, with selected examples on low-emission production concepts advancing towards commercial viability.

This established conference regularly gathers more than 230 decision-makers focused on renewable carbon strategies, with sessions building on strategic policy outlooks and concrete case studies that map viable pathways for defossilising chemicals, (aviation) fuels and materials.

The final program is available at https://co2-chemistry.eu/program/. 

Green hydrogen ramp-up status and CO₂ sources

Answering the question “When will CCU go mainstream?” (Michael Carus, nova-Institut) the conference will set the scene with sessions covering the latest information on certification for CO₂-based fuels and chemicals (Esther Hegel, RSB), discussion on the sustainability of CCU (Ángel Puente, nova-Institut) and integrating prospective Life-Cycle assessments into early stage CCU technologies (Nils Rettenmaier, ifeu). Building on growing policy support for Power-to-X, a special session will examine regional hydrogen strategies, such as the ramp-up status in North Rhine-Westphalia (Stefan Herrig, NRW.Energy4Climate), and low-emissions hydrogen's role in chemical production (Maryanne Maina, TNO). These discussions lead into the topic of _reliable CO₂ sourcing, with AI-driven identification of biogenic emissions (Eric Rambech, Endrava), carbon-14 measurements for biogenic content to quantify CO₂ capture and removal (Joséphine Gigon, SGS) and explores onboard carbon capture for PtX fuels (Anita Demuth, PtX Lausitz). A dedicated poster pitch session will further explore the flexible conversion of biogenic CO₂ into biodegradable materials (Heleen de Wever, VITO), catalytic production of methanol-based fuels (Gia Trung Hoang, KIT) or CO₂ utilisation for renewable aromatics (Snehal Pujar, TNO).

CO₂ utilisation routes and scale-up progress

Turning to utilisation pathways, talks detail integrated CO₂ capture-methanol synthesis for cost-competitive green fuels (Christian Wünsch, ICODOS) and other CO₂-to-chemicals developments (Reinier Grimbergen, Blue Circle Olefins). These build towards sector applications like CO₂-to-polymers catalysts for surfactants (Nick Smith, Viridi), Dimethylether as a sustainable all-rounder for defossilisation (Achim Schaadt, FH ISE) or CCU for food applications (Enzo Duriez, Lesaffre International). In addition, pilot-scale examples provide operational insights, including electrochemical CO₂ conversion (Mohammad Rezaei, GIG Karasek), low-temperature electrolysis (Tamás Födi, eChemicals) as well as enhanced syngas production (Mariasole Cipoletta, Rosetta Marino) and ethylene production by electrolysis (Colin O’Brien, Cert Systems).

“Best CO₂ Utilisation” innovation award 

Putting a spotlighting on pioneers in CCU, the “Best CO₂ Utilisation” innovation award – co-organised by nova-Institute and CO₂ Value Europe with Yncoris sponsorship – each year features pitches from six expert-selected nominees. Three winners are then chosen by the audience in a live vote. The two-day event successfully combines presentations, panels, poster pitches and a trade exhibition, and is supported by gold sponsors GiG Karasek and Holcim.

Registration and further information are available at https://co2-chemistry.eu.