Carbon Capture and Utilisation Technologies

CCU Definition: Technologies that capture CO₂ from point sources or ambient air and convert it into useful products (fuels, chemicals, building materials).\
Difference from CCS: CCS stores CO₂ permanently underground; CCU re‑uses CO₂ economically.\
India's Emission Rank: 3rd largest CO₂ emitter globally (after China and the USA).\
Budget Allocation: ₹20,000 crore announced in Union Budget 2026‑27 for CCUS development over the next 5 years.\
Key Indian Projects:\
Ambuja Cements & IIT‑Bombay: Indo‑Swedish pilot converting captured CO₂ into fuels and materials.\
JK Cement: Test‑bed for lightweight concrete blocks and olefins.\
Organic Recycling Systems Ltd.: Bio‑CCU platform converting biogas‑derived CO₂ into bio‑alcohols and speciality chemicals.\
Global Best Practices: EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Belgium CO‑to‑CO project, US tax‑credit incentives, UAE Al Reyadah CO₂‑to‑chemicals hub.

Circular Economy Goal: CCU aligns with India's ambition for a circular carbon economy, turning waste CO₂ into value‑added products.\
Hard‑to‑Abate Sectors: Cement, steel, chemicals and petrochemicals have process emissions that are difficult to replace with renewables alone.\
Policy Landscape:\
Department of Science & Technology: R&D roadmap for CCU.\
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: Draft 2030 roadmap for CCUS.

Decarbonisation Pathway: Provides a viable route to reduce industrial carbon intensity while creating new economic opportunities.\
Energy Security: Utilising captured CO₂ with green hydrogen can produce synthetic fuels, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.\
Employment & Innovation: Stimulates high‑tech manufacturing, research institutions and start‑ups.

Article 48A (Directive Principle): State shall protect and improve environment; CCU can be a tool to fulfil this duty.\
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Includes missions on ‘National Mission for Sustainable Habitat’ and ‘National Mission for a Green India’; CCU supports these missions.

Post‑combustion capture – amine‑based solvent absorption from flue gases.\
Pre‑combustion capture – CO₂ separation from syngas before combustion.\
Oxy‑fuel combustion – burning fuel in pure O₂ to produce CO₂‑rich exhaust.\
Direct Air Capture (DAC) – sorbents/solvents extract CO₂ from ambient air (energy‑intensive).

Direct Use (Non‑Conversion): Enhanced Oil Recovery, carbonated beverages, greenhouse fertilisation, refrigerants, dry ice.\
Conversion to Fuels & Chemicals:\
Synthetic fuels (e‑fuels) – CO₂ + green H₂ → methanol, gasoline, jet fuel.\
Chemicals – polymers, plastics, urea.\
Mineralisation – CO₂ reacts with alkaline waste to form stable carbonates.

Cost Competitiveness: High energy demand makes CCU products expensive without subsidies or carbon pricing.\
Infrastructure Gaps: Need for CO₂ transport pipelines and co‑located industrial clusters.\
Policy & Standards: Lack of clear certification, market mechanisms and long‑term incentives.

What is CCU? – Capturing CO₂ and converting it into useful products, supporting a circular carbon economy.\
How does CCU differ from CCS? – CCS stores CO₂ underground permanently; CCU re‑uses CO₂.\
Why is CCU important for India? – To decarbonise hard‑to‑abate sectors and meet net‑zero targets.