Decarbonisation Technology November 2025 Issue

Crossing the advanced waste gasification valley of death Successfully navigating this journey involves not only the advancement of technologies along the TRL scale but also the simultaneous progression of CRL

Amna Bezanty

Introduction: the valley of death in clean technology The ‘valley of death’ is a phrase that resonates across every innovation ecosystem. It describes the perilous gap between proof-of-concept and commercial scale, where promising technologies often stall due to lack of funding, confidence, or market readiness ( NRC, 2012 ). For waste gasification – a field long burdened with over-promise and under-delivery – this valley has been particularly deep. Yet, as the demand for sustainable molecules, clean fuels, and circular solutions grows, advanced gasification is re-emerging as a viable, scalable pathway ( IEA, 2021 ). Advanced waste gasification is defined not simply as an evolution of older waste conversion processes, but as a step-change in capability. Early deployments were partially successful, but in most cases the syngas quality and purity were suitable only for heat and power applications – routes that are becoming less attractive in a world where electricity is increasingly decarbonised. Persistent tar formation further limited opportunities for higher-value downstream applications, ultimately undermining bankability. The real challenge has always been producing a clean, tar-free, hydrogen-rich syngas – a quality that enables reliable integration with advanced synthesis pathways for fuels and chemicals. Predominantly, it is the capability to unlock high-quality syngas through high-efficiency conversion that truly defines advanced gasification today. This distinction matters because only such systems can deliver the flexibility, efficiency, and credibility required

to scale waste-to-molecule solutions into investable, impactful projects. Surviving this journey is not only about moving technologies along the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, but also about advancing Commercial Readiness Levels (CRL) in parallel. Both are essential if waste- to-molecule solutions are to deliver impact at scale. Waste advanced gasification: promise and pitfalls Gasification is not new. In the 2000s, early demonstration projects failed to meet reliability and performance expectations, leading to scepticism among investors and policymakers. The legacy of ‘failed first movers’ has left scars on the sector’s reputation. Recent innovations in modular designs, pressure-based systems, tars cracking, and integration with downstream synthesis routes (for methanol, sustainable aviation fuels [SAF], hydrogen, and methane) can transform the sector. Unlike incineration, advanced waste gasification creates a versatile, hydrogen- rich syngas, offering flexibility to decarbonise multiple hard-to-abate industries. Traditional energy-from-waste has played an important transitional role, but is limited by relatively low efficiency electricity generation (except where thermal recovery is optimised) and by continued air quality and GHG concerns associated with older combustion infrastructure. Advanced waste gasification represents the next step forward, offering cleaner outputs and greater integration potential with future low-carbon value chains. However, to succeed, technology providers and/or developers must