High-performance materials for optimizing carbon dioxide capture

Proposals should capitalise on promising material solutions for the next generation CO₂ capture technologies (such as pre-combustion or post-combustion capture, oxygen combustion or other novel technologies or concepts). Recent work on such materials and capture techniques, based on, inter alia, nanostructured hybrid materials, membranes, solid and liquid-based adsorbents has made progress to the extent that their cost and performance competitiveness with respect to the state-of-the-art technologies (at least at demonstration level) should now be tested. The proposed solutions need to prove their added value in terms of sustainability and performance or their ability to address unique applications, and their viability in terms of manufacturability, yield, stability, long working-life and easy regeneration. Finally, the high efficiency concepts should be assessed for technical and economic viability and developed to readiness for pilot manufacturing to integrate the high-performance materials in existing demonstration projects.

This topic calls for proposals with focus on the manufacturability high performance materials for CO₂ capture. A partially complementary topic is published in the “Secure, clean and efficient energy” part of this Work Programme (LCE 24-2016: International Cooperation with South Korea on new generation high-efficiency capture processes), calling for proposals on the development of high potential novel technologies or processes for post- and/or precombustion CO₂ capture.

The implementation of this topic is intended to start at TRL 5 and target TRL 6.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 6 and 8 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key element in the EU low-carbon policy. Presently, the roll-out has been hampered by costs and techno-economic uncertainties of the CCS, where CO₂ capture is a major part. While there is a need to demonstrate currently state-of-the-art capture technologies in real market conditions, promising new material solutions have been under development for the next generation CCS technologies that are expected to reach the markets beyond 2020. These solutions could dramatically improve the efficiency of CO₂ capture but the materials manufacturing processes should be further developed towards higher yields while conserving functionality at a lower cost.

The performance levels of the proposed materials solution(s) should be in line with those specified in relevant parts of the SET-Plan Integrated Roadmap and its Annexes, available at https://setis.ec.europa.eu/set-plan-process/integrated-roadmap-and-action-plan

• Improved security of supply by reducing the need for extra fuel to produce goods and power, increased use of indigenous resources;
• Increased competitiveness of CCS, in particular by reducing the cost of CO₂ capture and the sustainability of the final products;
• integrate the high-performance materials in existing and next generation demonstrators;
• A strengthened European materials industry in a highly competitive market.

Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the Introduction to the LEIT part of this Work Programme.