The preliminary programme for the CO₂-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026, scheduled for 28–29 April 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online, has now been released. Recognised as one of the world’s leading platforms for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU), the conference will once again bring together more than 230 decision-makers from industry, science and policy to examine pathways for replacing fossil carbon with sustainable alternatives.
The two-day event will span the entire CCU value chain—from CO₂ capture and biogenic sources to fuels, polymers, chemicals and advanced materials—against the backdrop of accelerating regulatory momentum such as ReFuelEU Aviation and the US Inflation Reduction Act. The 2026 edition places strong emphasis on green hydrogen scale-up, cost-competitive e-fuels, CO₂-to-polymers, electrolysis at pilot scale, gas fermentation, and AI-enabled detection of biogenic CO₂ streams.
Day 1: Strategy, Sustainability and Hydrogen Pathways
The opening day will focus on strategic frameworks, certification, and sustainability assessment in CCU deployment. Sessions will address when CCU can transition into mainstream adoption, how life-cycle assessments can be integrated early into technology development, and how certification systems for CO₂-based fuels and materials are evolving globally.
Green hydrogen production and carbon capture will form a central pillar, with insights into regional hydrogen ramp-up strategies, low-emission hydrogen for chemicals, AI-driven identification of industrial biogenic CO₂, and onboard carbon capture for Power-to-X fuels. The day will also feature a poster pitch session and presentations by nominees for the “Best CO₂ Utilisation 2026” innovation award.
Day 2: CO₂ to Fuels, Chemicals and Advanced Materials
The second day will move into commercialisation and scale-up, covering CO₂-to-fuels, methanol synthesis, aviation decarbonisation, and carbon-based polymers and surfactants. Dedicated sessions will explore CCU applications in food systems, electrochemical CO₂ conversion, DME as a defossilisation solution, and biomanufacturing routes for proteins and omega-3 fatty acids.
The programme concludes with sessions on electrolysis technologies, industrial pilot projects, innovation awards, and partnership opportunities, reinforcing collaboration across the CCU ecosystem.
The conference is organised by nova-Institute and CO₂ Value Europe, with Yncoris sponsoring the “Best CO₂ Utilisation” innovation award, which recognises breakthrough developments from fuels to materials. Holcim, the gold sponsor, supports the event through its commitment to renewable carbon solutions and defossilisation of the chemicals and materials industries.
The full preliminary programme is available at: https://co2-chemistry.eu/program/