CO2 Conversion Conference 2026 Highlights Innovations in E-Methanol, Aviation Fuels, and Specialty Chemicals
The 2026 CO2-based fuels and chemicals conference will feature six nominees competing for the “Best CO2 Utilisation 2026” Innovation Award. These companies showcase diverse technologies converting captured CO2 into valuable products, including e-methanol for aviation and maritime, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, specialty isocyanates, formic acid, and isopropyl alcohol. The event emphasizes scalable, industrial deployment of carbon utilization solutions, crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and fostering a circular chemical industry.
The CO2-based fuels and chemicals Conference 2026, held in Cologne and online, will serve as a central platform for showcasing groundbreaking technologies that convert CO2 into essential fuels, chemical intermediates, and materials. A key highlight of the event is the “Best CO2 Utilisation 2026” Innovation Award, co-organised by nova-Institute and CO2 Value Europe, for which six innovative companies have been nominated. These nominees demonstrate a broad spectrum of technical approaches, ranging from electrochemical conversion and integrated capture-and-synthesis processes to direct air capture systems linked with chemical production.Among the featured innovators, Aerleum presents its Direct Carbon Utilisation technology for converting atmospheric or industrial CO2 into e-methanol, a versatile low-carbon fuel for aviation and maritime transport, and a sustainable chemical feedstock. CERT Systems introduces an Air-to-Chemicals process to produce ethylene from captured CO2, crucial for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and plastics. CYNiO offers a unique CO2-based method for manufacturing specialized isocyanates, providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to phosgene. ICODOS showcases an economical e-methanol production process that merges CO2 capture and methanol synthesis, significantly reducing energy demand. OCOchem's Carbon FluX Electrolyzer (CFX) 400 regenerates CO2 into sustainable formic acid or potassium formate. Lastly, RAPCO2 brings Direct Air Capture products that convert CO2 into isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a safe eFuel. The conference program will also address the transition of these CCU technologies from pilot projects to industrial deployment, exploring viable business models and supportive regulatory frameworks.
