All4Zero, hub of industrial technological innovation founded by ArcelorMittal, Holcim, Iberia y Repsol, has presented the 12 technological solutions that it has selected to contribute to the reduction of emissions and the promotion of a circular economy, thus accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable and decarbonized model of the industry.
The hub has chosen several solutions for each of the five proposed challenges: management of water resources, the production of renewable hydrogen, the capture and use of CO2, waste management or the production of SAF and other renewable fuels, launched in its first call, to which 186 proposals were submitted.
The level of the technologies presented has been very relevant, since all of them provide a disruptive vision and represent an advance to transform the industry. This has motivated the scientists and experts who have evaluated the proposals to increase the number of those selected, despite the fact that initially the commitment to work with a maximum of ten was announced.
The selected technological solutions come from startups and technology centers in Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom and France, which reflects the hub's ability to promote and energize the innovation ecosystem and its international projection. Nine of the 12 technological solutions selected are Spanish, specifically from Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Valencian Community, Aragon and Madrid.
The presentation took place during the event Tech Solutions Day, held at Repsol Technology Lab, the multi-energy innovation center, in Madrid, in which attendees were able to learn first-hand both the process of selecting the solutions and what each of them contribute to meet the objective of All4Zero with this initiative.
In addition to the scientists and technicians of the hub and those responsible for the solutions presented, have also participated in the event Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General of Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, y Vicente Parras, deputy general director of Technological Innovation of the Community of Madrid. During their interventions, both have highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration to promote innovation and development in the industry towards a more sustainable model, and have pointed out that initiatives such as All4Zero They are “vital” for the growth, development and implementation of new technologies, especially due to their focus on a key sector for progress, such as industry.
After weeks of analysis and study, the technicians and specialists of the hub They have selected technological solutions according to the challenge they respond to.
Challenge 1.- Efficient carbon capture and emissions reduction. From All4Zero Technological solutions were sought that would contribute to advancing the solution to CO emissions.2 that cannot be destroyed by other means and that are prepared to be integrated into industrial production processes. The chosen solutions have been:
- Yama (France): Hybrid electrochemical direct air capture (DAC) technology that reduces energy consumption by 73%.
- Tecnalia (Madrid, Spain): Development of membranes for CO capture2, reducing energy consumption.
Challenge 2.- Guarantee water resources. The hub has assessed technologies that optimize the use of water in industrial processes, promoting efficiency and circularity, as well as solutions for the recovery of water resources, water collection and management. The chosen solutions have been:
- Eurecat (Barcelona, Spain): Innovative method of desalination of industrial wastewater for maximum water recovery.
- Teqma (Barcelona, Spain): Compact wastewater filtration and disinfection system for irrigation, industry and aquifer recharge.
Challenge 3.- Boost efficiency in obtaining renewable hydrogen. All4Zero In its open call, it was seeking technological solutions for the development of advanced electrolysis processes and other technologies for obtaining renewable hydrogen, as well as options to facilitate the safe transportation and storage of this hydrogen. In this sense, the selected solutions have been:
- Power H2 (USA): Electrolysis technology developed with NASA, producing hydrogen at a 35% lower cost.
- Jolt (Barcelona, Spain): Development of self-supporting industrial electrodes for renewable hydrogen, reducing costs and increasing durability.
- Electrogenos (UK): Alkaline electrolysis for efficient production of renewable hydrogen, reducing costs and installation times.
Challenge 4.- Generation of SAF and other renewable fuels and CO mineralization2. The different uses that can be given to CO2 It is one of the objectives that the hub pursues with the launch of this challenge with double application. Therefore, they were looking for disruptive technologies to convert CO2 captured in new materials that can be used as raw materials in industrial processes, the production of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and other renewable transportation fuels. In this fourth challenge, the selected solutions have been:
- Aimplas (Valencia, Spain): CO conversion2 to renewable aviation fuels through electroconversion to ethylene.
- Macrocarbon (Gran Canaria, Spain): Using seaweed to absorb carbon and produce sustainable hydrocarbons and biochar.
- SBS (Vizcaya, Spain): CO capture and mineralization technology2 to reduce emissions and promote the use of industrial waste.
- Eurecat (Barcelona, Spain): CO mineralization process2 and industrial waste to obtain advanced materials.
Challenge 5.- Use of materials from waste. This challenge seeks solutions to reduce waste that ends up in landfills and, therefore, contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), since a high amount of this waste has a high potential and can be reintroduced into the production chain. , thus promoting circularity. After the analysis of the experts, the solution chosen was:
- CIRCE (Zaragoza, Spain): Use of AI to optimize waste management and increase the incorporation of alternative fuels and raw materials.
All4Zero will drive these technologies and define proofs of concept (PoC), which may be carried out in the laboratories and industrial facilities of the partners of the hub led by expert technologists and scientists from important industrial companies.
This project reaffirms the commitment of All4Zero with industrial transformation and decarbonization, promoting innovation and collaboration between startups, research centers and universities globally to accelerate the achievement of the goal of net zero emissions in 2050.
Partners and collaborators who add
This new advance of All4Zero has had the support of all the companies and entities involved in the project: Enagás, Aitex, Exolum, Hijos de Rivera, Sacyr, Técnicas Reunidas, Urbaser, Magna and Airbus, recently incorporated. All the hub collaborators have also been there: Tecnalia, IMDEA Energy, the Iberian Center for Research in Energy Storage (CIIAE), the National Center for Renewable Energy (CENER), el Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Eurecat and Idonial.