De Nora & European ECO2Fuel project: status update

Milan, April 3, 2025 – ECO2Fuel is a European Union-funded project under the Horizon 2020 program (Green Deal) aimed at developing an electrolyzer capable of converting CO2 into valuable chemicals. The electrochemical valorization of CO2 through a unique system contributes significantly to achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, as outlined in the Green Deal and the Climate Law.

After more than two years of intensive work, a significant milestone has been reached with the construction of a 50 kW electrolyzer—one of the largest in the world. This groundbreaking electrolysis system is the first to generate synthetic fuels and other chemicals by combining CO2 and water. The electrolyzer is housed at VITO, a Belgian research center in Mol. The 50 kW stack consists of 25 cells, each measuring 1,500 cm², creating a total active area of 3.75 m²—an unprecedented achievement.

POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS AND NEXT STEPS
This robust and scalable system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while producing e-fuels for the transportation and energy sectors. For example, the light fuel mixture obtained from carbon dioxide conversion can be used as an environmentally sustainable gasoline. Similarly, reaction products such as methanol can be utilized in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Having reached this initial milestone, efforts are now focused on scaling up to 1 MW by 2027, setting a record in Europe, and introducing a significant innovation to the sector.

THE ROLE OF DE NORA
De Nora—an Italian multinational specializing in electrochemistry and a leader in sustainable technologies and the green hydrogen industry—produces the electrodes using raw materials supplied by project partners. The company receives electrocatalysts from institutions such as the University of Valencia and CNR in Messina, as well as ionomers (conductive polymers) from Hydrolite, a pioneer in Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology. These materials are formulated into inks, which are then applied to manufacture the final electrodes. The electrocatalysts play a crucial role in reducing the energy required for the reaction, thereby transforming carbon dioxide—a waste product—into more complex and valuable industrial chemicals.

De Nora has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in its industry sectors, reaffirming its role as a company that drives sustainable technological advancement.

The ECO2Fuel project brings together numerous international leaders in their respective fields, including the FIAT SCPA Research Center and the National Research Council (CNR) in Italy, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this transformative initiative.

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Industrie De Nora S.p.A. is an Italian multinational company founded in 1923 and listed on the Euronext Milan stock exchange. A global leader in electrochemical processes and technologies for water management, it provides products and services that enable industrial processes in the chlor-alkali, electronics, battery, water treatment (both municipal and industrial), and green hydrogen sectors. With an operational presence across multiple regions—including the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia—De Nora delivers customized solutions, effectively and reliably meeting market demands. Committed to ESG principles, the company integrates environmental sustainability and social responsibility into all its activities.

For further information and to access the Media Kit: Media Kit | De Nora

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