UP Catalyst, FENC, and Oxylus Energy Win “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” Award for Transformative Carbon Emission Technologies

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(IN BRIEF) The “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” Innovation Award has been presented to three innovators in the field of carbon capture and utilisation for their groundbreaking work in transforming CO2 emissions into valuable products. UP Catalyst’s technology for producing battery-grade graphite from CO2, Far Eastern New Century Corporation’s sustainable NIPU elastomers, and Oxylus Energy’s direct electrochemical method for producing green methanol are all key developments that contribute to reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing a sustainable carbon future. The award ceremony at the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference in Cologne highlighted these critical steps towards environmental and industrial sustainability.

(PRESS RELEASE) HÜRTH, 7-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — At the 13th CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference in Cologne, Germany, and online, UP Catalyst, Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC), and Oxylus Energy were recognized with the prestigious “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” Innovation Award for their transformative approaches to turning carbon emissions into valuable products. The award ceremony was part of the event, which brought together 230 participants and 45 speakers from across the globe, focusing on the latest developments in the Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) and Power-to-X sectors. The innovative winners stood out for their work in producing battery materials, sustainable plastics, and methanol fuel, marking important strides toward a renewable carbon future.

UP Catalyst Secures Top Award for Revolutionary Battery-Grade Graphite from CO2
The grand prize for “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” went to UP Catalyst, a pioneering Estonian company for its breakthrough Molten Salt CO2 Capture and Electrochemical Conversion (MSCC-EC) technology. UP Catalyst’s process converts CO2 emissions into battery-grade graphite and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), using significantly less energy than conventional methods. By reducing the energy required for graphite production by nearly half, the company offers a highly energy-efficient solution for creating durable carbon materials, which is crucial for various industrial applications, including in the growing electric vehicle and battery sectors.

Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC) Wins Second Prize for Sustainable NIPU Technology
The second prize was awarded to Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC) from Taiwan for developing the world’s first non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) derived from CO₂. Their innovative process produces high-performance elastomers, which are safer and more sustainable than conventional thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). This CO₂-based NIPU technology replaces toxic materials like phosgene and isocyanates, offering a sustainable alternative for applications such as footwear, synthetic leather, and waterproof membranes. The company’s efforts reduce carbon emissions by up to 58%, making significant contributions to reducing industrial emissions.

Nominees and Sponsors “Best CO2 Utlisation”, f.l.t.r. Anastasios Perimenis (CO2 Value Europe), Balázs Hepp (eChemicles), Veshal Venkat (TNO), Sebastian Pohlmann (Up Catalyst), Martin Lindmeyer (Yncoris), Fanny Liao (Far Eastern New Century Corporation), Michael Carus (nova-Institut), Asta Partanen (nova-Institut), Harrison Meyer (Oxylus Energy) and Bjørn Utgård (Skytree)

Oxylus Energy Earns Third Prize for Methanol Production via Direct Electrochemical Method
Third place went to Oxylus Energy, a US-based company, for its innovative direct electrochemical method of producing green methanol. This technology uses renewable electricity and water to convert industrial CO2 emissions directly into sustainable, carbon-neutral methanol. By offering a cost-competitive alternative to fossil-derived methanol, Oxylus Energy’s solution provides a viable path for decarbonising hard-to-abate industries such as aviation and maritime transport, which together account for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Their process marks an important step toward sustainable energy solutions and a greener future.

Supporting the CCU Ecosystem
The “Best CO2 Utilisation 2025” Innovation Award was sponsored by Yncoris and co-organized by nova-Institute and CO2 Value Europe. Yncoris is a leader in planning and operational support for chemical industry plants, while CO2 Value Europe represents the international CCU community. The award aims to promote the development of sustainable industrial solutions, advancing a circular carbon economy to reduce emissions and lessen reliance on fossil fuels.

Responsible for the content under German press law (V. i. S. d. P.):

Dipl.-Phys. Michael Carus (Geschäftsführer)
nova-Institut für politische und ökologische Innovation GmbH
Leyboldstraße 16 Tel: +49 2233 460 14 00
50354 Hürth Fax +49 2233 460 14 01
Germany contact@nova-institut.de

nova-Institut GmbH has been working in the field of sustainability since the mid-1990s and focuses today primarily on the topic of renewable carbon cycles (recycling, bioeconomy and CO2 utilisation/CCU).

As an independent research institute, nova supports in particular customers in chemical, plastics and materials industries with the transformation from fossil to renewable carbon from biomass, direct CO2 utilisation and recycling.

Both in the accompanying research of international innovation projects and in individual, scientifically based management consulting, a multidisciplinary team of scientists at nova deals with the entire range of topics from renewable raw materials, technologies and markets, economics, political framework conditions, life cycle assessments and sustainability to communication, target groups and strategy development.

50 experts from various disciplines are working together on the defossilisation of the industry and for a climate neutral future. More information at: nova-institute.eu – renewable-carbon.eu

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SOURCE: nova-Institut GmbH