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Zero-Emission Pathway for the Global Chemical and Petrochemical Sector

Author

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  • Deger Saygin

    (International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC), 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Dolf Gielen

    (International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC), 53113 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

The chemical and petrochemical sector relies on fossil fuels and feedstocks, and is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. The techno-economic potential of 20 decarbonisation options is assessed. While previous analyses focus on the production processes, this analysis covers the full product life cycle CO 2 emissions. The analysis elaborates the carbon accounting complexity that results from the non-energy use of fossil fuels, and highlights the importance of strategies that consider the carbon stored in synthetic organic products—an aspect that warrants more attention in long-term energy scenarios and strategies. Average mitigation costs in the sector would amount to 64 United States dollars (USD) per tonne of CO 2 for full decarbonisation in 2050. The rapidly declining renewables cost is one main cause for this low-cost estimate. Renewable energy supply solutions, in combination with electrification, account for 40% of total emissions reductions. Annual biomass use grows to 1.3 gigatonnes; green hydrogen electrolyser capacity grows to 2435 gigawatts and recycling rates increase six-fold, while product demand is reduced by a third, compared to the reference case. CO 2 capture, storage and use equals 30% of the total decarbonisation effort (1.49 gigatonnes per year), where about one-third of the captured CO 2 is of biogenic origin. Circular economy concepts, including recycling, account for 16%, while energy efficiency accounts for 12% of the decarbonisation needed. Achieving full decarbonisation in this sector will increase energy and feedstock costs by more than 35%. The analysis shows the importance of renewables-based solutions, accounting for more than half of the total emissions reduction potential, which was higher than previous estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Deger Saygin & Dolf Gielen, 2021. "Zero-Emission Pathway for the Global Chemical and Petrochemical Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-28, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:13:p:3772-:d:580826
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    2. Rekker, Lennard & Kesina, Michaela & Mulder, Machiel, 2023. "Carbon abatement in the European chemical industry: assessing the feasibility of abatement technologies by estimating firm-level marginal abatement costs," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    3. Dolf Gielen, 2022. "Energy Planning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-6, April.
    4. Gunawan, Tubagus Aryandi & Luo, Hongxi & Greig, Chris & Larson, Eric, 2024. "Shared CO₂ capture, transport, and storage for decarbonizing industrial clusters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    5. Deger Saygin & Herib Blanco & Francisco Boshell & Joseph Cordonnier & Kevin Rouwenhorst & Priyank Lathwal & Dolf Gielen, 2023. "Ammonia Production from Clean Hydrogen and the Implications for Global Natural Gas Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-28, January.

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