ADI prioritized nine CO2-to-value pathways, ranging from carbon mineralization for cement to electrochemical routes for circular fuels. The work assessed the energy intensity and technology readiness of photocatalysis and chemo-enzymatic conversion. Analytical modeling of breakeven costs was conducted to identify the most commercially attractive products in the near-term.
The client
Global investment firm
The situation
Uncertainty over which CO2 conversion technologies offer the best combination of technical feasibility and market materiality.
ADI’s contributions
Technical feasibility screening
Compared pathways using thermodynamic properties, energy intensity (kWh/kg), and single-pass conversion rates.
Market materiality analysis
Quantified the global market size for platform chemicals like methane, methanol, and ethylene produced from CO2.
Startup competitive landscaping
Profiled the positioning of 11 startups and large players like Siemens in the catalytic and biological conversion sectors.
Energy-to-product modeling
Modeled the sensitivity of carbon neutrality to the origin of power resources and optimization of electrochemical processes.
Key outcomes
Prioritization of mineralization and thermochemical pathways for immediate investment based on market size and scalability.
Client Results
We engaged ADI for market studies across various industrial air exchanger niches, from upstream to downstream. Their work helped us gain a thorough understanding of market sizes and competitors.
This study examined the global ammonia (NH3) value chain and CO2 conversion landscape, evaluating the technical maturity of steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and electrolysis-based production. ADI analyzed the economics of NH3 as a hydrogen carrier versus liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), including the energy-intensive decomposition steps required for re-conversion. The work profiled […]
ADI performed a techno-economic assessment of nine CO2 conversion routes, ranging from mineralization to electrochemical synthesis of platform chemicals. The analysis utilized thermodynamic feasibility and energy-intensity metrics to rank pathways by their ability to compete with conventional fossil-based production. The client Global investment firm The situation Difficulty in prioritizing investments across a fragmented landscape of […]
ADI assessed the commercial viability of CCUS adoption across industrial source sectors, modeling project IRRs under varied Inflation Reduction Act 45Q credit scenarios. The analysis evaluated infrastructure constraints, such as pipeline access and Class VI permitting timelines, to identify high-probability retrofits in biofuels and gas processing. The client Global industrial equipment manufacturer The situation High […]
This assessment forecasted global demand for cryogenic heat exchangers and pumps across LNG, CCUS, and hydrogen liq\uefaction applications. ADI evaluated the cyclical nature of large-scale LNG capex alongside the rapid scale-up of blue hydrogen projects that rely on cryogenic CO2 separation. The work assessed the role of high-efficiency coil-wound exchangers and brazed aluminum designs for […]
This work evaluated the levelized cost of capture across six Direct Air Capture categories, including liquid solvents (LDAC), solid sorbents (SDAC), and electrochemical systems. ADI analyzed the land and clean electricity requirements for scaling to Gtpa milestones, highlighting the infrastructure bottlenecks and energy-intensity trade-offs of leading configurations. The client Integrated energy company The situation Rapidly […]
ADI assessed a global energy transition capital spend and outlook through 2050, identifying the addressable market for digital technologies. The study analyzed how the shift toward fragmented, low-carbon infrastructure will impact the need for digital integration across intermittent renewables and energy storage systems. Modeling surfaced critical factors that will dictate the pace of digital adoption. […]
This study assessed 11 early-stage startups and five decarbonization pathways, including CCUS and clinker substitution, to reach net-zero cement by 2050. ADI modeled CO2 reduction costs, technology readiness, commercial maturity, adoption outlook, and growth potential across North America and Europe. The client Venture capital firm The situation Strategic ambiguity regarding which low-carbon cement technologies to […]
ADI conducted an independent technical and commercial benchmark of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts to inform the investment process for a market leader. The study examined differentiated honeycomb geometry versus plate and corrugated designs, specifically focusing on pressure drop and catalytic activity. Additionally, the analysis mapped the integration potential of SCR systems with emerging solid-adsorbent […]
ADI analyzed the stackable tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act to prioritize decarbonization projects at existing refining assets. The study mapped technical pathways for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), blue hydrogen, and carbon capture against regional infrastructure and environmental justice criteria. This effort identified how loan guarantees and transferability provisions can de-risk capital projects […]
On April 7, 2026, the European Commission announced the first official Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) certificate price for Q1 2026 at €75.36 per tonne of CO2 equivalent (~$88/t CO2e), marking the EU’s first explicit carbon price applied to imported goods. This rate will be applied to the embedded emissions in CBAM-covered imports and is […]
Immersion cooling fluids are taking on more importance as data‑center operators deploy higher‑power artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Rack densities are increasing faster than traditional air systems can accommodate, and liquid cooling is now part of the design discussion for many new builds and retrofits. In that context, fluid properties affect reliability, […]
Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. The UAE’s exit from OPEC (see our prior blog) in late April 2026 reflects a decisive shift toward a volume‑driven strategy focused on monetizing its hydrocarbon resource base ahead of the global energy […]