Carbon dioxide conversion pathways assessment

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.

Global investment firm

Difficulty in prioritizing investments across a fragmented landscape of C2X startups with varied technology readiness and market materiality.

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ADI developed a weighted metric system covering TRL, selectivity, and market materiality to rank 25 different C2X end-products.

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Analysis of enthalpy and energy intensity identified mineralization as the most efficient route, requiring significantly less power than electrolysis.

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The study mapped startups like Twelve and LanzaTech against technical maturity to identify those nearest to commercial-scale deployment.

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ADI evaluated global demand for methane, methanol, and polymers to ensure target pathways address sufficiently large commodity markets.

  • Ranked products by commercial maturity and scalability, leading to a prioritized investment focus on carbon-to-concrete and thermochemical syngas.
Client Results
Unlike firms that provide recycled information, ADI delivers targeted data and real customer feedback. They focus exactly on what we care about rather than simply giving us what they think we want to hear.
Riley Hagan CEO, Ethanext

Industry experience

Ammonia and CCUS technology market assessment

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 […]

CCUS market opportunity analysis

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 […]

Cryogenic equipment market outlook

This assessment forecasted global demand for cryogenic heat exchangers and pumps across LNG, CCUS, and hydrogen liquefaction 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 […]

Direct Air Capture technology and cost assessment

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 […]

Low-carbon cement technology and start-up landscape

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 […]

SCR catalyst and competitive landscaping assessment

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 […]

Carbon dioxide conversion pathways assessment

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 […]

CO2 conversion pathways techno-economic assessment

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 […]

Global energy transition digital spend outlook

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. […]

Strategic assessment of IRA incentives for refiners

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 […]

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Newsletter: Data center power, ammonia, and biofuel mandates

In the June 2026 edition, AI-driven demand is surging, but constraints in grid capacity, permitting, and equipment supply are reshaping how and where data centers expand. Developers are increasingly embedding power considerations into site selection, shifting toward distributed infrastructure models and prioritizing regions with faster, more reliable access to electricity. As power availability becomes a […]

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The growing challenge of industrial R&D

For much of the 20th century, R&D was viewed as a long-term investment in scientific discovery, often insulated from day-to-day operational pressures. Success was measured in patents, breakthrough technologies, and the promise of future growth. Today, that view no longer holds. Across energy, chemicals, and broader industrial sectors, R&D has been reshaped by a combination […]

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IMO’s safety guidelines pave the way for ammonia-fueled ships

Ammonia has increasingly emerged as a potential low-carbon marine fuel to support decarbonization in the maritime sector due to its carbon-free combustion profile. However, compared to methanol, ammonia has lagged behind in commercial adoption as a low-carbon marine fuel. This is primarily due to its toxicity, which requires more complex storage and handling systems, as […]