The Netherlands – Alta Innovation Support has been awarded a substantial subsidy of over 1.8 million euros to establish a pilot project aimed at converting CO2 and gases from the chemical industry into a liquid that can be utilized in batteries.
This innovative installation, to be constructed at Valuepark in Terneuzen, is the first project in the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen/Vlissingen-Oost region to receive funding from the new European Just Transition Fund (JTF) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The development of this technology holds immense promise for the greening of production chains and the advancement of lithium-ion battery technology, making a significant impact on the energy transition.
Alta Innovation Support has made substantial investments in researching the use of CO2 and waste biomass as raw materials while emphasizing the sustainability of production chains. Their pioneering work has led to the development of a groundbreaking technology that converts CO2 and epoxides into a raw material specifically tailored for lithium-ion batteries.
Pilot project
The pilot project at Valuepark Terneuzen serves a dual purpose: to demonstrate the production method and validate the process on a safe scale. This crucial testing phase ensures that the technology is efficient, reliable, and environmentally sound. Once the process is successfully validated, Alta Innovation Support plans to scale it up to a commercial level, enabling the widespread adoption of this innovative solution.
The collaboration between Alta and knowledge institutes in Zeeland, such as the HZ University of Applied Science and University College Roosevelt, showcases the power of interdisciplinary cooperation to drive sustainable innovation. The support from the regional development agency Impuls Zeeland further strengthens the project’s potential for success.
The conversion of CO2 and gases from the chemical industry into a liquid for lithium-ion batteries represents a major step towards carbon neutrality. By utilizing CO2 as a raw material, this technology not only reduces harmful emissions but also contributes to the circular economy by repurposing waste. As lithium-ion batteries play a pivotal role in powering electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and portable electronics, adopting greener raw materials can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with battery production.
Technology commercialization
The pilot project’s success is expected to pave the way for the commercialization of this technology, accelerating the development of cleaner and more sustainable battery technologies on a global scale. By minimizing the reliance on fossil fuel-derived materials, this innovation can lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and bolster efforts to combat climate change.