Projects from the innovation field sustainable catalytic processes

Green ammonia as a decentralized, cross-sector energy vector for the German energy transition

The Fraunhofer flagship project AmmonVektor is coordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT and researches ammonia as an energy vector for the transportation of hydrogen. In its liquid form, ammonia is technically easy to transport and does not require a great deal of energy. The researchers at the Fraunhofer Institutes UMSICHT, ICT, IGB, IKTS, IML, IMM, IMW and ITWM are looking at the entire value chain and taking advantage of the fact that ammonia already has a global transport infrastructure due to fertilizer production.

Conversion of CO₂ from South African coal-fired power plants into multiple commodity streams using green ammonia and hydrogen

South Africa's coal-fired power plants not only emit large quantities of CO₂, but also harmful nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur oxides (SOₓ) and particulate matter. To ensure that coal can be used in the most environmentally friendly way possible until the complete transition to renewable energies, the CoalCO₂-X™ program aims to harness the components of the flue gas for the circular production of products such as diesel and fertilizers. Green ammonia, the synthesis of which is being demonstrated by Fraunhofer IGB in Straubing, plays a key role here.

CO₂-based electrosynthesis of ethylene oxide

The goal of the project CO₂EXIDE is the establishment of an electrochemical, energy efficient and near-to CO₂-neutral process for the production of the bulk chemical ethylene from CO₂, water and renewable energy. One of the central steps is the development of a new type of electrolyser that enables a simultaneous reaction on both anode and cathode, which is more efficient in terms of energy and resources.

Renewable electricity-based, cyclic and economic production of fuel

The aim of the EU project EcoFuel is to develop the next generation of renewable fuels produced from CO₂ using renewable energies. To this end, the project consortium aims to demonstrate a novel end-to-end process chain that significantly improves energy efficiency in the electrochemical production of synthetic fuel from CO₂ and water.

Electrobiocatalytic cascade for bulk reduction of CO₂ to CO coupled to fermentative production of high value diamine monomers

ECOMO unites bioelectrocatalysis, biohybrid materials sciences, organic synthesis, technical microbiology, and process engineering for CO gas fermentation to acetate and a subsequent fermentative production of diamines.

Shaping the Future of Green Chemistry by Process Intensification and Digitalization

The chemical industry is essential for a wide range of industrial value chains and is one of the most important drivers of new product developments and innovations. Global challenges in the areas of climate protection, energy and resource efficiency − coupled with political and societal demands for a green, sustainable chemistry − have led the chemical industry to set ambitious goals for defossilizing its production processes and establishing a circular, climate-neutral material and energy conversion. This transformation calls for major research and development efforts.

Production of green ammonia in Morocco

The production of "green" ammonia from renewable sources will be an important pillar of the future global economy. As a "Power-to-X" product, green ammonia contributes significantly to the coupling of various sectors, helping to create a stable renewable energy landscape.  

Fraunhofer IGB has been working on green ammonia production as a future technology for several years. Back in November 2018, the Green Ammonia project started on behalf of the Moroccan fertilizer manufacturer OCP and in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, with a focus on evaluating new technologies for the sustainable production of ammonia.

Advanced Carbon Materials from Biowaste: Sustainable Pathways to Drive Innovative Green Technologies

GreenCarbon is a project funded by the European Union in the framework of the H2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions – Innovative Training Networks. GreenCarbon provides career development and training opportunities for 14 researchers who are in the first 4 years of their research careers (Early‑Stage Researchers, ESRs). The research programme focusses on the production of carbon materials on the basis of renewable resources to further develop them as catalysts or adsorbent materials for high‑performance applications.

Electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from water, air and renewable electric energy

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an environmentally friendly oxidant widely used in the chemical industry. However, the classic production method is expensive and not suitable for decentralized application on a small scale. For this reason, researchers at Fraunhofer IGB have been working on an alternative electrochemical process in the CO₂EXIDE project. This is now being further developed and demonstrated in the EU-funded follow-up project POWER₂HYPE together with partners from industry and research.