German researchers develop technologies for industrial decarbonization

Researchers in Germany are developing new technologies to decarbonize industrial processes. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, the LowCarbDry project is working to replace traditional hot-air drying with superheated steam. By combining this method with heat pumps and smart controls, the process aims to reduce energy consumption by a factor of 2 to 4 and eliminate the need for natural gas in sectors such as paper, cement, and chemical manufacturing. This project involves collaboration with Evonik Operations GmbH and the Pergande Group.

Separately, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed the PEReCO2 process, which converts carbon dioxide into chemical raw materials like acetate using renewable electricity. This method, which won the NEULAND Innovation Prize 2026, offers a way to replace fossil-based raw materials like petroleum with recycled CO2. The system is designed for industrial-scale application using copper-based materials to facilitate efficient chemical reactions.