Reducing carbon emissions is a globally recognised goal, with efforts to minimize carbon footprints now being seen across most major industries. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a process encompassing multiple innovations for reducing the effects of carbon on the environment. IDTechEx's portfolio of Sustainability Research Reports and Subscriptions provides the latest research into CCUS, including forecasts and main players, alongside some of the end-uses for captured carbon.
A CCUS overview
Despite CO2 capture having been a longstanding process involved in natural gas processing, environmental motivations have not always been the driver behind this, with most CO2 traditionally released back into the atmosphere. IDTechEx has identified that only as a result of government subsidies has it been more feasible to enable CO2 capture projects, in response to targets that have been introduced to reduce emissions globally across multiple sectors. IDTechEx's report, "Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Markets 2026-2036: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players", explores the business model for CCUS and provides information and analysis across the entire process. The CCS network involving CO2 transport and storage infrastructure has reportedly been growing in recent years, with the introduction of pipelines, compressors, ships, and other means of dealing with the captured CO2.
CO2 utilization approaches and scalability
Once CO2 has been captured, there are multiple emerging avenues for its utilization, including a variety of different technologies and resulting products, such as fuels, chemicals, building materials, polymers, and food, and the type of process which CO2 undergoes is dependent on the intended product. For example, synthesis pathways for the production of fuels and chemicals from CO2 include thermocatalysis, electrochemistry, and microbial conversion.
Scalability feasibility is one factor mentioned in IDTechEx's report, "Carbon Dioxide Utilization 2026-2036: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players", with the notion explored as to whether there is enough demand for a product to match the amount of captured CO2 and whether any given product is a worthwhile investment. Considerations around supply chain feasibility will also be indicative of scalability potential, dependent on factors such as infrastructure and equipment needed.
E-fuels and CO2-derived methanol
Green hydrogen fuel is expected to be the largest cost contribution amongst CO2-derived fuels, with predictions from IDTechEx for electrolyzer stacks to see cost reductions over the next decade, making green hydrogen production more scalable. Decarbonization initiatives in response to regulation will also likely create demand for fuels such as e-SAF and e-methanol, particularly in the EU. Many e-methanol plants are already up and running in different regions such as Europe and China, with the largest plant as of 2025 being in Denmark, where 42,000 tonnes of e-methanol is produced yearly. While CO2-derived methanol is seeing increased uptake, many plants still utilize grey hydrogen, sparking increased demand for low-carbon methanol, particularly amongst the maritime sector in the EU.
IDTechEx's report, "Sustainable Biofuels & E-Fuels Market 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts", explores the avenue to creating 4th generation biofuels from captured CO2, where algae and cyanobacteria can be used for capturing and then utilizing the gas during photosynthesis processes. The report also provides forecasts for developments and uptake spanning the next decade.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Sustainability Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest CCUS technologies and other sustainable developments within the sector.
