Scaling Electrochemical CCUS, Gas Sweetening, and E-Chemical Technologies
ITC is advancing its portfolio of electrochemical (EC) technologies from TRL 6 to TRL 7-8. By utilizing single-step, low-energy electrochemical reactions, ITC's technology converts and treats CO2, natural gas components, and methane into green fuels and high-value chemicals at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP), eliminating the need for energy-intensive thermal or high-pressure processes.
Core Innovations & Technologies
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EC-CCUS & Methanol Synthesis: Converts superficial captured CO2 and methane into green methanol with an energy efficiency exceeding 40%. The technology has been patented entitled: Electrocatalytic method and apparatus for the simultaneous conversion of methane and CO2 to methanol through an electrochemical reactor operating at ordinary temperatures and pressures, including ambient ones; Italy Patent Office: No.102019000023760; WIPO: WO2021117071A1; EPO: EP4045699A1; US Patent: US20230011619A1.
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EC-SR-1 (Electrochemical Sulfur Removal & Conversion): An electrochemical process that removes and simultaneously converts sulfur contents from natural gas into added-value chemicals at SATP. A pilot-scale reactor has already been validated in a live natural gas source (TRL 6).
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CO2-to-Ethylene Reduction: A high-performance electrochemical process for synthesizing ethylene directly from CO2, providing a circular feedstock pathway for green chemical industries.
Key R&D Projects and Validation Milestones
ITC leads a portfolio of strategic European and national projects to advance these electrochemical platforms:
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SUNPEROM (EIC Pathfinder, Grant ID: 101223212, 2025–2029): A 3.6 M Euro project developing a solar-driven perovskite tandem for methanol production. ITC acts as project coordinator and technology developer of super-stable polymeric HTMs and interface engineering of perovskite tandem devices in addition to high performance GDE-based electrochemical cell design and encapsulation and developing of selective electrocatalysts.
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NEXTCCUS (Project ID: 327327, 2021-2025, Budget: 2.8 M Euro): An EU project (ERA-NET ACT 2021 - ACT 3rd Call) developing next-generation electrochemical systems for sustainable direct CO2 capture and utilization/storage as clean solar fuel. ITC act as project coordinator and technology developer of the selective electrocatalysts and membranes, design and scale-up of the innovative reactor and leading of the demonstrator validation process.
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CHOH-D: An industrial validation project at DUFERCO Spa, testing ITC's semi-industrial prototype reactor for CO2 reduction at SATP within steel manufacturing units.
Commercial Advantages & Market Opportunity
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Full Decarbonization & Desulfurization: Provides negative-emission solutions for heavy industries (e.g., steel manufacturing and oil & gas operations).
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Decentralized Modular Production: Enables on-site liquid fuel production and chemical upgrading without requiring large-scale centralized infrastructure.
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Low Capital and Operational Costs: Operates at SATP conditions, drastically reducing capital and operational expenditure compared to traditional thermochemical processes.