Decarbonisation Technology August 2026 Issue

longer emitted as a waste; instead, it becomes a recyclable industrial resource. By closing the carbon loop from capture to fuel tank (car, aeroplane, or ship), synthetic fuel technologies demonstrate how emissions can be transformed from a liability into an asset, advancing both climate objectives and industrial resilience. Global total energy-related CO 2 emissions increased by 0.8% in 2024, hitting an all-time high of 37.8 Gt CO 2 (see Figure 1 ). This rise contributed to record atmospheric CO 2 concentrations of 422.5 ppm in 2024, around 3 ppm higher than 2023 and 50% higher than pre-industrial levels. In 2024, CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion grew by around 1% or 357 Mt CO 2 , while emissions from industrial processes declined by 2.3% or 62 Mt CO 2 . The increase in emissions was lower than global GDP growth (+3.2%), restoring the decades- long trend of decoupling emissions growth from economic growth, which had been disrupted in 2021. “ The major advantage of renewable fuels lies in their liquid state, which gives energy density CO₂ capture technologies CO₂ as a resource: The science behind conversion (critical for aviation), makes them safer to store, and requires less storage space ” The basis of Carbon Capture and Conversion (CCC) technology is CO 2 capture and industry waste gas recovery. Rather than extracting new fossil carbon from the ground, carbon that is already in circulation is reused. When CO₂ is captured from biomass processes or industrial exhaust streams, it can be combined with green hydrogen (produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis) to produce renewable fuels. Two main processes that connect carbon capture with future mobility:  Renewable diesel fuel using CO2 capture: While CO 2 is the primary component of industrial flue gases, after the CO2 has been captured, other waste gases, such as C 2 H 6 ,

C 3 H 8 , and C 4H10 , can also be recovered and reused. When processed sustainably, it can serve as a renewable carbon source. ZCT is currently working on a pilot plant in Vienna in partnership with a renowned research centre to produce approximately 160 litres of renewable diesel per day. As a result, it has developed a new process for converting CO 2 from industrial waste gases into renewable diesel using CO 2 capture. The concept is presently in the research and patenting phase. ZCT’s next strategic target is to scale up the system to 200 litres per hour, which would represent a major step towards industrial-level production. This renewable diesel can be used in standard diesel engines with no modifications and zero emissions, making it a future solution for decarbonisation of transportation, particularly in sectors such as heavy-duty vehicles, agriculture, and logistics.  Renewable kerosene fuel using CO₂ capture: The same CCC technology also enables the production of renewable kerosene fuel from industrial waste. These fuels are chemically similar to fossil fuels but are produced from recycled carbon and renewable energy. The major advantage of renewable fuels lies in their liquid state, which gives energy density (critical for aviation), makes them safer to store, and requires less storage space. Additionally, the necessary infrastructure, including pipelines, is already available. Furthermore, the existing fuel stations are also compatible with these renewable liquid fuels. This means that the transition to climate-neutral mobility does not necessarily require a complete replacement of today’s fuel supply infrastructure. Scale-up and CCC future technology By integrating CO₂ capture directly into the industry conversion process, the carbon cycle is closed: • Process CO 2 capture with optimisation and energy efficiency improvements. • Integration of carbon capture process with industrial compatibility. • Securing sustainable, different renewable energy resources, such as biomass, solar, and wind.