Economics of carbon dioxide capture and utilization—a supply and demand perspective

Lately, the technical research on carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) has achieved important breakthroughs. While single CO(2)-based innovations are entering the markets, the possible economic effects of a large-scale CO(2) utilization still remain unclear to policy makers and the public. Hence, this paper reviews the literature on CCU and provides insights on the motivations and potential of making use of recovered CO(2) emissions as a commodity in the industrial production of materials and fuels. By analyzing data on current global CO(2) supply from industrial sources, best practice benchmark capture costs and the demand potential of CO(2) utilization and storage scenarios with comparative statics, conclusions can be drawn on the role of different CO(2) sources. For near-term scenarios the demand for the commodity CO(2) can be covered from industrial processes, that emit CO(2) at a high purity and low benchmark capture cost of approximately 33 €/t. In the long-term, with synthetic fuel production and large-scale CO(2) utilization, CO(2) is likely to be available from a variety of processes at benchmark costs of approx. 65 €/t. Even if fossil-fired power generation is phased out, the CO(2) emissions of current industrial processes would suffice for ambitious CCU demand scenarios. At current economic conditions, the business case for CO(2) utilization is technology specific and depends on whether efficiency gains or substitution of volatile priced raw materials can be achieved. Overall, it is argued that CCU should be advanced complementary to mitigation technologies and can unfold its potential in creating local circular economy solutions.