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.
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