Published on April 14, 2026
‘Carbon Cycling’ – How new technologies are paving the way for a low-emission future
Human-induced climate change is one of the key challenges of our time. A major task is to restore the material cycles – which have been altered by industrialisation and, in particular, the use of fossil fuels – to a functional equilibrium. Approaches to this issue, which are being researched in an application-oriented manner at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, were the focus of the technology day ‘Science for defossilisation – Technologies for a low-emission future’. Around 35 participants from research and industry engaged in professional exchange and held lively discussions on key issues.
Political discourse and research infrastructures
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs, opened the day by placing the topic within its political context. He referred to the current political situation, the ambitious climate goals of the federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg, as well as the objectives of the federal government’s High-Tech Agenda. In doing so, he highlighted the research areas at KIT whose developments can make a significant technological contribution to future decarbonization. He particularly emphasized KIT’s unique large-scale research infrastructure, which makes it possible to support developments from the laboratory through the pilot phase all the way to industrial implementation – an important step toward a more sustainable future.
Traditional chemistry for new material flows
The first technical presentation was given by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Sauer from the Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT). He focused on catalysts, which play a central role in the chemical industry. Catalysts enable the industrial implementation of chemical production processes by lowering the activation energy and thereby accelerating reactions. The IKFT pursues a holistic approach that covers the entire value chain of catalyst production and application – from the development of new catalysts to the scale-up of their production and application. Currently, the ‘Catalyst Development Centre’ is being established to advance this research in innovative ways, with a particular focus on the automation of catalyst production and testing. One example of the practical application of catalysts is the use of plastics from packaging materials, which can be converted into pyrolysis oil through depolymerization. This oil is then processed via hydrogenation using catalysts to remove impurities before it can be converted into polymer building blocks through petrochemical processes.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frederik Scheiff from the Engler-Bunte Institute and Head of Department Gasification Technology at the Institute for Technical Chemistry (ITC) then spoke about the further development of synthesis gas production. Gasification is a process for producing synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which serves as a feedstock for the synthesis of important chemicals such as methanol, dimethyl ester, or fuels. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frederik Scheiff highlighted the complexity of this process and the research findings from KIT that have been implemented. In his presentation, he also highlighted the numerous areas of collaboration between industry and KIT, such as in the fields of product analysis, flame studies, and CFD spray simulation.
Making better use of existing resources
Another exciting, practical approach was presented by Dr.-Ing. Masoud Mahmoudizadeh from the Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT). Through its research, the institute aims to capture carbon dioxide where it is already produced in concentrated form. Dr.-Ing. Masoud Mahmoudizadeh presented a concept in which exhaust air from buildings can be used as a point source of CO₂. In combination with sustainable energy sources, this allows CO₂, hydrogen, and oxygen to be produced in a small area. It is particularly noteworthy that such systems could be installed on existing rooftop areas, making the concept even more practical and feasible. The institute has already set up a rooftop lab on its own building, which serves as a pilot project.
Dr.-Ing. Masoud Mahmoudizadeh led the participants from industry to the pilot plant in the Rooftop Lab on the institute’s roof. (Photo: KIT)
Dr.-Ing. Masoud Mahmoudizadeh presented the guests with a concept for CO₂ capture from building exhaust air, which offers a practical solution for sustainable energy production through the use of roof space. (Photo: KIT)
Two keynote presentations then provided insights into other innovative research topics. Dr. Chaojie Cheng from the Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW) presented the potential of natural geo-bioreactors. Underground formations where microbes convert carbon dioxide into methane could be used as giant, natural reactors. The institute has developed a ‘chip’ consisting of thin sections of real rock, which makes it possible to observe and understand this process in detail. Following this, M.Sc. Jan P. Höffgen and M.Sc. Maureen Denu from the Institute of Concrete Structures and Building Materials (IMB) presented exciting approaches to concrete recycling. They demonstrated two methods for reactivating the recycled material: thermal activation through heating and carbonation, in which carbon dioxide and recycled cement paste are introduced into distilled water. The goal of this research is to develop CO₂-neutral binders and to use concrete as a CO₂ sink. As part of an exhibition, the speakers were able to further explore the topics presented with the participants through direct discussion.
Dr. Chaojie Cheng from AGW presents his research on georeactors to guests at the exhibition during the technology day. (Photo: KIT)
The technology day provided plenty of time for networking: participants in conversation during the exhibition. (Photo: KIT)
M.Sc. Maureen Denu from the IMB exchanges views with industry partners in the foyer of the INT during their poster presentation. (Photo: KIT)
What are participating companies already doing in the area of defossilisation and carbon management? Which questions relating to these topics are of particular concern to them? – Participants had the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and pressing questions to the technology day via a survey. (Photo: KIT)
In his presentation, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Holtmann from the Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences (BLT) – Department of Electrobiotechnology gave guests an insight into the biotechnological conversion of carbon dioxide. His research focuses on combining electrochemistry and biocatalysis to overcome process bottlenecks and thus contribute to defossilization using biological methods. According to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Holtmann, CO₂ is not just a problem substance, but a valuable substrate that can serve as a starting material for bio-based products in biological conversion processes. Examples from his research include the combination of electrolysis and fermentation to produce complex molecules, the use of gas diffusion electrodes as a platform technology, and the electroenzymatic synthesis of chemicals for methanol production.
From exhaust gas to high-tech carbon
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Wetzel from the Institute for Thermal Process Engineering (TVT) presented another approach at the end of the day. His research focuses on a process in which methane is converted into hydrogen and solid carbon – a process known as methane pyrolysis. To achieve this, methane is passed through a molten metal and thermally cracked. This hydrogen, produced without generating CO₂, can be used, for example, as fuel or for hydrogenation in chemical processes, while the carbon can be used as an additive for building materials, cast iron, rubber, or in energy storage systems, among other applications. Under the direction of Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Dietrich (TVT), in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Liquid Metal Laboratory (KALLA) at the Institute for Thermal Energy Technology and Safety (ITES), this pyrolysis technology is being further developed through combination with separation and methanation processes so that CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases can be broken down into industrially usable carbon and oxygen. In a specially constructed pilot plant, all aspects of this so-called NECOC process, from reactor design optimization to the characterization and utilization of the carbon, are being investigated.
The KIT Business Club’s technology day left all participants with the impression that a low-emission future is entirely realistic with creative, innovative, and exciting approaches. It became particularly clear that this monumental task cannot be solved by a single technology. Only the combination of various approaches leads to robust and environmentally friendly material flows – in contrast to solutions that continue to rely on fossil fuels.
Guests and members of the KIT Business Club experience the research results first-hand during the Power-to-X tour led by Dr. Gael Corre. (Photo: KIT)
Dr.-Ing. Bernd Zimmerlin guides guests and industry partners through the Carbon Cycle Lab. (Photo: KIT)
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