Which areas of industry and the energy sector require carbon management and to what extent, and which capture technologies and overall concepts are suitable for this?

Carbon management encompasses the handling of CO₂ emissions that are unavoidable or difficult to mitigate. This is particularly relevant for industries such as cement and lime production, where raw material-related process emissions occur during lime burning, as well as for thermal waste treatment plants. Additionally, carbon management can play a significant role for energy suppliers operating biomass power plants or companies in the petrochemical, glass, or paper production sectors. Developing precise techno-economic knowledge and conducting model- and scenario-based analyses of these industries, their transformation pathways, and their integration into the broader system are essential for estimating the future potential of carbon management.

The primary options for CO₂ capture—pre-combustion, oxyfuel combustion, and post-combustion—are further divided into specific capture technologies. The selection of the appropriate technology for each process depends on factors such as the technical readiness level (TRL), space requirements, CO₂ concentration in the exhaust gas stream, and various techno-economic indicators. It is critical to consider not only the latest technological advancements and scientific research but also practical, real-world experiences when choosing the optimal separation technology.

The primary options for CO₂ capture—pre-combustion, oxyfuel combustion, and post-combustion—are further divided into specific capture technologies. The selection of the appropriate technology for each process depends on factors such as the technical readiness level (TRL), space requirements, CO₂ concentration in the exhaust gas stream, and various techno-economic indicators. It is critical to consider not only the latest technological advancements and scientific research but also practical, real-world experiences when choosing the optimal separation technology.

Carbon management extends beyond industries focused solely on CO₂ capture. Effective planning must transcend individual industries and local scales to appropriately size the required infrastructure and ensure its economic operation. Achieving this calls for the development of coherent, integrated concepts at regional, national, and international levels.