adoption of innovations in both primary production and recycling of steel and aluminium to minimise emissions and meet growing demand (see Table 1 ). There is scope to improve the environmental efficiency and cost of recovery and recycling processes. Companies like Sortera Technologies and Therm Ohm are taking the lead in implementing circularity in the metals sector. Sortera uses AI and sensor fusion technology to sort aluminum scrap by alloy and then recycle the scrap into high-value, low-carbon end products. Its high-throughput platform enhances resource recovery, ensures consistent material quality, and improves the efficiency of sorting processes in material-heavy industries. Meanwhile, Therm Ohm has developed an innovative process to upcycle steel scrap by removing copper contamination. This breakthrough reduces feedstock costs, minimises DRI dilution, enhances the quality and value of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production, and generates a sustainable copper byproduct. These efforts support circularity in metals production and contribute to decarbonisation goals. Conclusion Upcycling wood, metals, plastics, and concrete provides an important pathway to carbon neutrality. Materials are kept at their highest value and the energy used is from renewable sources. Venture investment in circularity offers a good opportunity, provided the fundamental economics are attractive and allow for rapid scale-up. The interplay between market drivers, economics, technology, and business models determines the viability of circular opportunities. Circular carbon (CCU), also known as valorisation of CO 2, can be a future source of carbon for the production of chemicals, fuels, polymers, and materials. However, to meet current announced net-zero targets, global CCUS capacity needs to grow more than 100 times in the longer term, reaching 4-6 gigatons CO 2 by 2050 and decarbonising around 15 to 20% of today’s energy-related emissions ( McKinsey, 2024 ). Circular carbon is challenging because of cost and technology readiness, and some of the factors to watch out for are
2022
2050
Steel Overall demand (Mt/a)
1,880
1,960
Share of recycled scrap metal
33%
48% 95%
Share of net-zero iron production 0%
Aluminium Overall demand (Mt/a) Share of 2 o production – recycled aluminium
108
146
36%
48% 96%
Share of net-zero 1 o production
0%
regulatory interventions, willingness to pay for lower carbon products, valorisation of CO 2 as a feedstock, and the development of the voluntary carbon removal markets. Different industries have different carbon- neutral pathways. For the chemical industry, there are different sustainable carbon cycles, including using carbon from industrial processes and carbon derived from products that Table 1 Required adoption of low-emissions primary production and recycling for steel and aluminium Source: IEA, 2023 previously originated from fossil sources, as well as using carbon from plants (CEFIC, 2024). Achieving carbon neutrality requires a combination of enabling technologies, circular systems, and strategic investment. While challenges such as early-stage adoption and cost barriers persist, carbon neutrality efforts also provide clear opportunities for growth and resilience. Businesses that act now to embrace climate tech and decarbonisation strategies will position themselves to succeed in the transition to a sustainable future and create new growth platforms. “ Achieving carbon neutrality requires a combination of enabling technologies, circular systems, and strategic investment ”
VIEW REFERENCES
Fred van Beuningen fbeuningen@chrysalix.com
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
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