Use of carbon dioxide as raw material to close the carbon cycle for the German
chemical and polymer industries
#MMPMID32834563
Kaiser S
; Bringezu S
J Clean Prod
2020[Oct]; 271
(?): 122775
PMID32834563
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This article explores how far the use of CO(2) as raw material could enable the
German chemical and polymer industries to contribute to a circular economy.
Material Flow Analysis was conducted for all carbon flows for material use in
Germany, comprising chemical production, polymer production, domestic use and
waste management. For scenario modelling, Carbon Capture and Utilization
technologies were included, and key parameters determining carbon flows were
altered to show potential corridors for the future development. The results show
that current carbon flows are dominated by fossil sources and are highly linear,
with a secondary input rate of only 6%. Additionally, 12% (2 Mt/a) of the primary
carbon input is lost due to dissipation. Currently available Carbon Capture and
Utilization technologies would allow reaching a secondary input rate of 65% for
the chemical industry. However, to achieve this rate between 80% (processes of
direct synthesis) and 103% (methanol-based processes) of the total net supply for
renewable electricity in Germany would be required in 2030 and between 41% and
50% in 2050. In contrast, the unavoidable substance related CO(2)-point sources
in Germany could probably fulfill the carbon requirement for material use of the
chemical industry in 2050. The authors conclude that the utilization of CO(2) as
a carbon source is necessary to close the carbon cycle where material or chemical
recycling is technically not feasible or reasonable. The very high demand for
renewable electricity indicates that the required production facilities for
CO(2)-based chemicals will probably not be completely based in Germany.
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