From left: Tobias Gasser and Christian Bartel from the Scheuch research and development team provide expert knowledge on the future project.

As an experienced plant manufacturer in environmental technology, Scheuch is participating in the development of a new type of CO₂ capture technology for converting carbon dioxide into useful raw materials.

In addition to ENRAG GmbH, GIG Karasek GmbH and the University of Innsbruck, the Rohrdorfer Group with its Hatschek cement plant in Gmunden is leading the project. The aim of the industrial research project is to optimise the energy and cost balance of CO₂ capture from flue gases. This is to be achieved with direct electrolysis, in which CO₂ is converted directly into chemical raw materials such as CO or ethylene with the help of electrical energy and special electrolysis cells. Scheuch is planning and manufacturing the necessary components for gas pre-purification and CO₂ absorption.

"The project is still at a very early stage. Due to the complexity of the topic, development will take some time. The separation of carbon dioxide from exhaust gases is an essential step on the road to CO₂ neutrality. As a company, we have made keeping our air clean our main task. We are already working on a number of processes in the industrial sector - several paths could lead to success in the future," explain Christian Bartel and Tobias Gasser from the Scheuch research and development team.

However, just as important as the enthusiasm for new CO₂ capture technologies is the appeal to domestic politicians that any CO₂ capture goes hand in hand with the consumption of large amounts of energy. The supply of sufficient quantities of renewable energy is a critical factor and a prerequisite for the successful transformation of industry towards CO₂ neutrality.

The project is funded by the Upper Austrian business and research strategy #upperVISION2030 and supported by the Cleantech Cluster of the Upper Austrian business location agency Business Upper Austria.