Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to dimethyl carbonate (ECODIME)
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
The Dutch chemical industry is urged to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 to meet national climate neutrality targets. Achieving this demands not only emission reduction, but also CO2 utilisation as a feedstock for greener chemical production. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a safe, biodegradable specialty chemical, with widespread applications in solvents, batteries, polycarbonates, and bio-based polymers. Current DMC production relies on toxic, fossil-derived phosgene or carbon monoxide. Electrochemical CO2 conversion offers a cleaner, fossil-free alternative using renewable electricity. Whilst feasible, existing methods depend on batch processing, low current densities, and precious-metal catalysts, limiting industrial applicability and scalability. The proposed ECODIME project will therefore develop a continuous, flow-based electrochemical process for the conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC and related carbonates under industrial conditions. The concept has already attracted strong interest from industry. ECODIME will enable simultaneous CO2 utilisation and electrified synthesis of green chemicals, enabling the transition to a circular and safe national chemical industry.
Doelstelling
The goal of ECODIME is to develop a scalable, versatile electrochemical flow-based platform for the selective conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC, and other relevant organic carbonates (e.g. diethyl and ethylene carbonate). These target molecules serve as safe, sustainable alternatives to reagents derived from fossil, toxic phosgene or carbon monoxide used across the Dutch chemical industry. ECODIME will demonstrate the electrochemical synthesis of these compounds in an upscaled flow reactor (=10 – 100 cm2 active area) operating at industrially relevant current densities (100 – 1,000 mA cm-2), with a focus on (i) catalyst type and stability, (ii) product yield and selectivity, (iii) energy efficiency and consumption, and (iv) organocarbonate separation and purification. A secondary aim is to demonstrate the use of DMC and other carbonates as solvents or reagents in impurity-sensitive model reactions, providing a benchmark for product quality. Through this, ECODIME supports the EKOO objectives of enabling circular carbon chains, electrifying chemical production, and accelerating the industrial transition towards a climate neutral, non-toxic, and resource-efficient Dutch economy.
Korte omschrijving
ECODIME is structured into six work packages. WP1 focuses on catalyst development and screening for the selective electroreduction of CO2 to the targeted carbonate esters. WP2 will design and operate an electrochemical flow reactor under industrially-relevant conditions, targeting high current density, organocarbonate selectivity and kilogram-scale product output. WP3 centres on downstream separation and purification of DMC and related carbonates, followed by validation through use in impurity sensitive model reactions to assess product quality. WP4 assesses the techno-economic performance and carbon footprint of the electrochemical reactor, establishing a roadmap for scale-up and integration into Dutch chemical value chains. WP5 focuses on knowledge exploitation and stakeholder engagement, whilst WP6 ensures effective coordination, risk monitoring and progress tracking. WR will lead the project and coordinate research activities. Consortium partners will contribute expertise in catalysis, reactor engineering, separation, upscaling and application development, ensuring inter-industrial relevance, from green chemistry and materials to energy and CO2 valorisation.
Resultaat
ECODIME will deliver a fully-functional, modular electrochemical flow reactor concept for the selective conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC (and related carbonates), at targeted current densities up to 1,000 mA cm-2 and faradaic efficiency values of >80%. The system will be validated at targeted electrode areas up to 100 cm2 and a kilogram-scale production, including downstream separation and real-world application testing. ECODIME will demonstrate the use of electro-synthesised organocarbonates in impurity-sensitive model reactions, validating their potential as green, safe, and circular alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals for high-value chemical applications. The project will result in proven electrocatalysts, a scalable and versatile process concept, and detailed techno-economic and environmental assessments. The results will provide a blueprint for modular scale-up and cross-sector deployment in various solvents, energy materials, and sustainable polymers, advancing electrified, circular carbon utilisation aligned with the Dutch chemical industry's 2050 climate targets of decarbonising chemical production whilst advancing safe and circular biobased value chains.
The Dutch chemical industry is urged to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 to meet national climate neutrality targets. Achieving this demands not only emission reduction, but also CO2 utilisation as a feedstock for greener chemical production. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a safe, biodegradable specialty chemical, with widespread applications in solvents, batteries, polycarbonates, and bio-based polymers. Current DMC production relies on toxic, fossil-derived phosgene or carbon monoxide. Electrochemical CO2 conversion offers a cleaner, fossil-free alternative using renewable electricity. Whilst feasible, existing methods depend on batch processing, low current densities, and precious-metal catalysts, limiting industrial applicability and scalability. The proposed ECODIME project will therefore develop a continuous, flow-based electrochemical process for the conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC and related carbonates under industrial conditions. The concept has already attracted strong interest from industry. ECODIME will enable simultaneous CO2 utilisation and electrified synthesis of green chemicals, enabling the transition to a circular and safe national chemical industry.
Doelstelling
The goal of ECODIME is to develop a scalable, versatile electrochemical flow-based platform for the selective conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC, and other relevant organic carbonates (e.g. diethyl and ethylene carbonate). These target molecules serve as safe, sustainable alternatives to reagents derived from fossil, toxic phosgene or carbon monoxide used across the Dutch chemical industry. ECODIME will demonstrate the electrochemical synthesis of these compounds in an upscaled flow reactor (=10 – 100 cm2 active area) operating at industrially relevant current densities (100 – 1,000 mA cm-2), with a focus on (i) catalyst type and stability, (ii) product yield and selectivity, (iii) energy efficiency and consumption, and (iv) organocarbonate separation and purification. A secondary aim is to demonstrate the use of DMC and other carbonates as solvents or reagents in impurity-sensitive model reactions, providing a benchmark for product quality. Through this, ECODIME supports the EKOO objectives of enabling circular carbon chains, electrifying chemical production, and accelerating the industrial transition towards a climate neutral, non-toxic, and resource-efficient Dutch economy.
Korte omschrijving
ECODIME is structured into six work packages. WP1 focuses on catalyst development and screening for the selective electroreduction of CO2 to the targeted carbonate esters. WP2 will design and operate an electrochemical flow reactor under industrially-relevant conditions, targeting high current density, organocarbonate selectivity and kilogram-scale product output. WP3 centres on downstream separation and purification of DMC and related carbonates, followed by validation through use in impurity sensitive model reactions to assess product quality. WP4 assesses the techno-economic performance and carbon footprint of the electrochemical reactor, establishing a roadmap for scale-up and integration into Dutch chemical value chains. WP5 focuses on knowledge exploitation and stakeholder engagement, whilst WP6 ensures effective coordination, risk monitoring and progress tracking. WR will lead the project and coordinate research activities. Consortium partners will contribute expertise in catalysis, reactor engineering, separation, upscaling and application development, ensuring inter-industrial relevance, from green chemistry and materials to energy and CO2 valorisation.
Resultaat
ECODIME will deliver a fully-functional, modular electrochemical flow reactor concept for the selective conversion of biogenic CO2 to DMC (and related carbonates), at targeted current densities up to 1,000 mA cm-2 and faradaic efficiency values of >80%. The system will be validated at targeted electrode areas up to 100 cm2 and a kilogram-scale production, including downstream separation and real-world application testing. ECODIME will demonstrate the use of electro-synthesised organocarbonates in impurity-sensitive model reactions, validating their potential as green, safe, and circular alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals for high-value chemical applications. The project will result in proven electrocatalysts, a scalable and versatile process concept, and detailed techno-economic and environmental assessments. The results will provide a blueprint for modular scale-up and cross-sector deployment in various solvents, energy materials, and sustainable polymers, advancing electrified, circular carbon utilisation aligned with the Dutch chemical industry's 2050 climate targets of decarbonising chemical production whilst advancing safe and circular biobased value chains.
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