Carbon2Chem: Overall project

The Carbon2Chem initiative aims to utilize metallurgical gases from steel production as a raw material for chemical products. In addition to CO₂, these gases also contain carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), methane (CH₄), and large amounts of nitrogen (N₂) – the same components as the synthesis gases used in the chemical industry, which are usually obtained from fossil resources such as natural gas and crude oil. Although coke oven gas in particular already has a high hydrogen content, additional hydrogen produced by electrolysis is required for the synthesis of valuable raw materials (see project “Carbon2Chem: Electrolyzer”).

Since 2016, numerous industrial companies have been working together with the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, and various universities on a globally applicable solution for converting blast furnace gases into precursors for fuels, plastics, or fertilizers. The hydrogen required for this is obtained through electrolysis. The third phase of the project began in 2025, focusing on the application-oriented verification of the developed solutions. In addition, the processes are being adapted to the gases used in direct reduction in the steel industry, and the use of methanol and hydrogen is being comprehensively investigated.

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