Net Zero Industry Tracker 2024 Primary Chemicals

Technology pathway 1: CCUS In the primary chemicals industry, many capture technologies – particularly post-combustion capture using solvents (e.g. amines) – are nearing TRL 8-9,492 indicating they are fully developed and have been demonstrated at industrial scale. However, novel capture methods (e.g. membrane-based or direct air capture) are at TRL 5-7,493 indicating pilot- scale testing and demonstration projects have taken place, but not widespread commercial deployment. Utilization technologies, where captured CO2 is converted into value-added chemicals, are more advanced due to their integration with carbon- intensive processes and the potential to use captured CO2 as a feedstock for products like methanol and urea. Technology pathway 2: Electrolytic hydrogen Alkaline electrolysis (ALK) is the most mature electrolysis technology, reaching TRL 8-9,494 meaning it is commercially available and operating in industrial settings. Alkaline electrolysers have been demonstrated at large scale and are considered a mature technology for producing green hydrogen. Green hydrogen production using ALK and PEM electrolysers is already commercially available for specific applications within the chemicals industry, such as the production of ammonia and methanol, and energy use. However, current installations are often small-scale demonstration projects or pilot plants, as the cost of electrolytic hydrogen is still higher than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. Clean hydrogen is playing a new role as an energy vector (new market) compared to its current role in chemical industry as material vector. Technology pathway 3: Circularity and recycling The concept of circularity in the primary chemicals industry includes strategies such as recycling, waste valorization, material efficiency, and substituting conventional materials with alternative or bio-based chemicals. Mechanical recycling (e.g. plastics recycling) is a mature technology with a TRL of 9,495 meaning it is commercially available and widely implemented. The mechanical recycling of certain polymers, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), is already scaled. Advanced chemical recycling (e.g. pyrolysis and depolymerization), which breaks down plastics and other materials into chemical building blocks for reuse, are at TRL 5-7.496 They are undergoing pilot and early-stage commercial trials but have not yet reached widespread commercialization. Key challenges include high energy requirements, scalability issues and economic viability. Waste-to- chemicals conversion, bio-based feedstocks, and material efficiency and substitution are pathways that can reduce demand and emissions. Net-Zero Industry Tracker: 2024 Edition 8