EIC Portfolio participate in SunCoChem Final Conference

Joint efforts in European Innovation Council-funded projects highlight progress in sustainable chemical production

On October 23rd, 2024, the CONFETI and SUPERVAL projects proudly participated in the Final Conference of the SunCoChem project, held at the Eurecat facilities in Tarragona. This event was a key moment to present innovations in sustainable chemical production. CONFETI and SUPERVAL represented the 'CO2 & Nitrogen Valorization and Management' Portfolio, funded by the European Innovation Council, with Xavi Muñoz, Portfolio Coordinator for CONFETI, representing the EIC Portfolio.

The SunCoChem project focuses on the development of an innovative photoelectrocatalytic tandem reactor that uses CO₂, H₂O, and solar energy to produce valuable oxo-chemicals, eliminating the need for carbon-based raw materials in chemical production. During the conference, key researchers—including María Navarro (SunCoChem Coordinator), Adrianna Nogalska (Scientific Coordinator), and Julio Lloret-Fillol (Group Leader, ICIQ)—shared cutting-edge findings and demonstrated how the reactor can convert CO₂ into green chemicals, advancing Europe's carbon-neutral goals.

Presentations included the development of specialized membranes for CO₂ capture by Adrianna Nogalska, electrodes for syngas conversion by Simelys Hernández (Technical Coordinator), and societal impacts presented by Antonia Delistavrou. Further insights were provided by experts such as Angelica Chiodoni on catalyst assessments, Sara Cavaliere on nanocomposite membranes, and Enrique Lacasa on the environmental sustainability of SunCoChem processes.

As representatives of the EIC Portfolio, CONFETI and SUPERVAL align with SunCoChem's mission to combat climate change through sustainable innovation. Together, these projects pave the way for a future where CO₂ and nitrogen are efficiently captured and converted into valuable resources, promoting a circular economy.

The conference also included a roundtable discussion with prominent experts such as Núria López (Group Leader, ICIQ) and Eric Schuler (Electrochemical Process Engineer, Avantium), who discussed the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing industry and set the stage for future collaborations in green chemistry.