Decarbonization of the chemical industry is crucial for achieving the global climate goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Catalysis and materials development play a multifaceted role in the decarbonization of the chemical industry by enabling the use of renewable feedstocks, facilitating carbon capture and low carbon-production pathways, and process intensification. Continued research and innovation in catalysis will be essential for achieving significant reductions in CO₂ emissions and transitioning towards a sustainable chemical industry.

Establishing a carbon neutral economy by the middle of this century in Europe requires a fundamental transformation of technology processes in the chemical industry and the development of strategic industrial partnerships to meet the 2050 targets. Chemical decarbonization will undoubtedly require less resource consumption, more sustainable feedstocks and new sources of renewables. The integration of more energy-efficient technologies with net-zero emissions, and the use of alternative circular feedstocks will need to go hand-in-hand with the development of new economic models and adequate market adaptations. These economic considerations introduce an additional layer of complexity when scouting and developing sustainable technologies.

This Research Topic is focused on reviewing the recent advancements in the field of catalysis and material science to convert renewable feedstocks such as biomass, CO₂, and waste materials into valuable chemicals and fuels through processes like syngas conversion, CO₂ hydrogenation, and plastics conversion. By utilizing renewable feedstocks, the chemical industry can reduce its reliance on fossil resources and lower its carbon footprint.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective Articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Development of catalysts for the direct conversion of syngas to chemicals and fuels.

• Process intensification to increase process and energy efficiency

• Catalyst development for CO₂ hydrogenation

• Low-carbon fuels and feedstocks, development of fuel-flexible processes

• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage

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Frontiers in Chemistry

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