About the project
GlyCO2Chem establishes and validates a complete value chain for converting captured biogenic CO2 and industrial glycerol side streams into high-value, renewable glycerol carbonate. The project will scale Gefn’s proprietary CO2 conversion technology from TRL4 to TRL5 while piloting cost-efficient CO2 purification and Direct Air Capture (DAC) solutions. The project will optimize feedstock specifications, develop next-generation catalyst systems, demonstrate two end-use applications (fuel additive and battery electrolyte solvent), and deliver techno-economic and life-cycle assessments. The ultimate goal is to enable scalable, energy-efficient carbon capture and utilization (CCU) by early 2030s.
Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is limited by high energy demand, hydrogen dependency in CO2 conversion, and insufficient market demand for captured carbon. Direct air capture remains expensive, and most CO2-to-chemicals pathways require energy-intensive hydrogen production. GlyCO2Chem addresses these barriers by developing a hydrogen-free conversion route based on the direct reaction of CO2 with glycerol, a largely underutilized industrial by-product. The project pilots an innovative cryogenic DAC system and optimizes modular CO2 purification from multiple sources. A novel ionic-liquid catalyst system improves CO2 solubility and process efficiency, enabling lower energy consumption and tolerance to diluted CO2 streams. This integrated, end-to-end approach creates both supply and demand for captured CO2.
The project will deliver a validated TRL5 prototype producing renewable glycerol carbonate from captured CO2 and industrial glycerol, alongside piloted CO2 purification and DAC systems. It will demonstrate glycerol carbonate as a sustainable fuel additive and as a solvent for battery and supercapacitor electrolytes. Life-cycle and techno-economic assessments will quantify environmental benefits, cost reductions, and carbon footprint improvements compared to fossil-based routes. By valorizing two underutilized streams, CO2 and crude glycerol, GlyCO2Chem supports circular carbon economy principles. The project strengthens European CCU innovation, reduces reliance on fossil carbon, and provides a clear scale-up roadmap toward industrial deployment by the early 2030s.
