How can industry professionals, researchers and local communities work together to successfully close the carbon loop? On 17 June 2025, experts, students and future professionals from disciplines such as engineering, climate science and social research came together at the Saarland University to answer this question in an interdisciplinary workshop organized by the EU-funded WaterProof project. The event titled “Transdisciplinary Perspectives in the Circular Economy” aimed to bridge the gap between technological innovation, social acceptance and practical application. All of which are key factors for a successful implementation of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies in local communities and the establishment of a truly sustainable, circular economy. The event even took participants to the fictitious village of “Tülzweiler”, where in a simulation game they had to deliberate a proposed CCU plant extension from a multistakeholder perspective.

Collaborative approach for successful sustainable transition

The WaterProof project aims at developing an electrochemical process that converts CO₂ emission captured from consumer waste incineration and wastewater treatment facilities into formic acid. This formic acid can then be used in the creation of green consumer products, such as cleaning detergents, the tanning of fish leather, and special solvents (ADES) used in the recovery of precious metals from industrial waste incineration ash. In addition to the technological dimension, WaterProof follows a transdisciplinary approach, emphasizing dialogue among scientists, industry professionals, and community stakeholders to ensure that technological advancements align with societal needs, the specific needs of local communities and environmental objectives.

This training workshop exemplified the project’s commitment to knowledge transfer and collaborative problem-solving. Bringing together 12 participants from diverse fields, the workshop fostered lively discussion on the challenges and opportunities in closing carbon cycles while addressing the priorities of different stakeholder perspectives. Participants quickly recognised that integrating expertise from multiple disciplines is essential to develop robust and widely accepted solutions and public acceptance for CCU technologies and CO₂-derived products.

Key assessment methods and simulation game

The workshop opened with an inspiring presentation by Lucas Albers from the nova institute, who introduced the group to the method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as well as Social-LCA, showcasing the importance of social risk management and the challenges of gethering data on qualitative variables, stakeholder perspectives but also global supply chains. This session emphasized the necessity of expanding the use of LCA-methodology to S-LCA, as well as the implementation of academic exercises into practical applications of technology development and product acceptance.

A highlight was a simulation game set in the fictitious village of “Tülzweiler”. Here, participants assumed the roles of local stakeholders deliberating a proposed CCU plant extension. Immersed in their adopted identities ranging from residents and business owners to environmental advocates and technology providers, the participants navigated and discussed concerns such as extensive land use, social and environmental fairness, stakeholder benefits, and environmental impact. This exercise displayed the intricate web of considerations that shape the acceptance and success of circular technologies in local communities.

Workshop outcomes and impact

The workshop delivered several positive outcomes:

1. Enhanced understanding: Participants gained hands-on insight into the complexity of implementing CCU technologies, benefiting from both technical discussions and role-play-based learning. All attendees left with raised awareness for transdisciplinary perspectives.
2. Strengthened soft skills: The training fostered key competencies including communication, perspective-taking, conflict resolution and teamwork. All these skills vital for industry professionals and researchers driving technological change.
3. Fostering new approaches: The simulation game provided an innovative educational model, equipping future professionals with the mindset to assess sustainability challenges from multiple vantage points in a playful and innovative way.

The participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire for more time to delve deeper into such comprehensive solutions, a clear indication of the engagement and value the workshop offered.

Advancing circular solutions

By equipping the next generation of researchers and industry-professionals with both knowledge and social competencies, WaterProof is helping to pave the way for a truly circular, renewable carbon future, where technological innovation is based on inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.

This workshop was organised as part of an interdisciplinary lecture series at Saarland University, in cooperation with IZES gGmbH.

In this interactive workshop, students and young researchers from STEM or social sciences will be informed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable innovation. The workshop is organised by IZES with support by nova-Institute. Students from inside and outside the Universität des Saarlands can register until 12th June 2025.

Content of the workshop:

• Introduction to environmental psychology and transdisciplinary processes in the circular economy using the example of the EU-project WaterProof
• Insight into the methodology of the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) with an expert from nova-Institut GmbH
• Interactive simulation game focussing on a sustainable infrastructure project
• Exciting impulses, discussions and exchange with participants from other disciplines

20 May 2025, 13:00-14:30 CET, online and free

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is known as the main driver of climate change. Yet, CO₂ is increasingly recognised as a promising renewable feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals and fuels. By capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial point sources or directly from the air (direct air capture, DAC) and converting them into essential building blocks, it is possible to reduce reliance on fossil resources from below ground, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and help drive the transition to a circular, climate-neutral economy.

Recent advances and innovations in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies are making it feasible to transform CO₂ into a wide range of products, ranging from base chemicals to advanced fuels. These innovations are not only closing the carbon loop of the chemical industry (defossilisation) but also enabling the integration of renewable energy and transport fuels (decarbonisation) into chemical processes, further reducing the environmental footprint of these vital industries.

The spectrum of CO₂-derived chemicals and fuels is rapidly expanding thanks to breakthroughs in electrochemical, catalytic, and biotechnological processes. Some of the most promising examples include:

Chemicals such as Methanol, Formic acid, Ethanol, Acetic acid, Urea, Polycarbonates and cyclic carbonates, Organic acids (e.g., carboxylic acids, salicylic acid, malonic acid), Esters and lactones, Aromatics and olefins, Glycerol carbonate.

Fuels such as Synthetic gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, Methane, and E-fuels.
These examples illustrate the broad potential of CO₂ as a renewable carbon source for the chemical and materials industry and the energy sector, supporting the shift towards sustainability and circularity.

To explore these exciting developments, the EU-funded research project WaterProof is hosting a webinar titled “From Emissions to Innovation: CO₂-Derived Chemicals” on May 20th, 2025, from 13:00 to 14:30 CET.
The event will bring together leading experts including

• Pia Skoczinski (nova-Institute) – Renewable Chemicals from CO₂ – An Overview
• Francesca di Bartolomeo (SINTEF, coordinator PyroCO2 Project) – Pioneering Sustainable CO₂ Conversion to C3 Chemicals and High-Value Lipids for Feed and Food Applications
• Albert Guisasola (Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Vivaldi Project) – Innovative bio-based chains for CO₂ valorisation as added-value organic acids
• Eric Schuler (Avantium, WaterProof Project) – Innovative Chemicals and Sustainable Polymer Solutions from CO₂ and renewable electricity

Attendees will gain insights into the latest CCU technologies, market trends, and applications that are driving the shift towards a circular carbon economy.
Discover how CO₂ is being utilised as a valuable resource and learn about the innovations shaping the future of sustainable chemicals. Register now to be part of this dynamic conversation and help unlock the full potential of CO₂-derived chemicals.

25 March 2025, 13:00-14:30 CET, online and free

Electrochemistry is rapidly emerging as a key technology for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU), offering a sustainable route to transform CO₂ emissions into a valuable resource for the chemical and materials industry. Many valuable chemicals or fuels can be produced from electrochemistry: CO, methane, methanol, formic acid, ethane, ethanol, ethylene, oxalic acid and other hydrocarbons. The development of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction is progressing, with much interest in commodity chemicals such as ethylene to break down barriers to market entry. This innovative approach promises not only to mitigate climate change but also to reduce industries’ dependence on fossil resources, driving a significant shift towards global sustainability goals.

The WaterProof project invites researchers and industry stakeholders to an insightful webinar. This event will showcase the latest advancements in electrochemical CO₂ conversion and their potential to transform entire industries by making chemical production more sustainable.

The webinar will feature presentations from leading experts

• Patrick Löb (Fraunhofer IMM): Flow reactors for the electrochemical CO2 reduction to formate / formic acid and beyond
• Brian Rawls (Avantium/Volta): Exploration of electrochemical production of CO₂-based polyesters and chemicals, and introduction of the WaterProof project’s technology for electrochemical CO₂ conversion into formic acid.
• Danny Hellebusch (Twelve): VP CO₂ Electrolyzer – Demonstration of Twelve’s revolutionary “industrial photosynthesis” technology, which Twelve has successfully scaled up to transform CO₂ into products ranging from sustainable aviation fuel to car components.

Agenda

13:00-14:10 Patrick Löb (Fraunhofer IMM): Flow reactors for the electrochemical CO₂ reduction to formate / formic acid and beyond

13:20-13:40 Brian Rawls (Avantium/Volta): Exploration of electrochemical production of CO₂-based polyesters and chemicals, and introduction of the WaterProof project’s technology for electrochemical CO₂ conversion into formic acid.

13:40-14:00 Danny Hellebusch (Twelve): Introducing Twelve and showcasing the potential of electrochemical CO₂ conversion by showcasing products we’ve created from jet fuel to car parts

14:00-14:30 Discussion and Q&A