The high-level goal of BioRECO2VER is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of more energy efficient and sustainable non-photosynthetic anaerobic and micro-aerobic biotechnological processes for the capture and conversion of CO2 from industrial point sources into 2 valuable platform chemicals, i.e. isobutene and lactate. To overcome several of the existing technical and economic barriers for CO2 conversion by industrial biotechnology, the project will focus on minimizing gas pretreatment costs, maximizing gas transfer in bioreactors, preventing product inhibition, minimizing product recovery costs, reducing footprint and improving scalability. To this end, a hybrid enzymatic process will be investigated for CO2 capture from industrial point sources and conversion of captured CO2 into the targeted end-products will be realized through 3 different proprietary microbial platforms which are representative of a much wider range of products and applications. Bioprocess development and optimization will occur along 2 lines: fermentation and bioelectrochemical systems. The 3 microbial platforms will be advanced to TRL 4, and the most promising solution for each target product will be validated at TRL 5 on real off gases. To prepare for industrial implementation and contribute to public acceptance, the technological activities will be complemented with virtual plant design, economic and sustainability assessments and extensive dissemination. All activities will be executed by a well-balanced and experienced group of 2 Research and Technology Organizations, 2 universities, 4 SMEs and 4 large industries.

GHG emissions reduction policies to mitigate climate change heavily impact on energy intensive industries, leading to loss of employment and competitiveness. In addition, variable renewable generation faces high risks from electricity curtailment if renewable surplus is not used. Carbon capture and utilisation technologies that make use of industrial flue gas and renewable surplus will play a key role in the clean energy transition of industry. Various technologies exist but most are still quite demanding in terms of materials and energy, being costly and inefficient. CAPTUS key objective is to demonstrate sustainable, cost-effective and scalable pathways to produce high-added value energy carriers by valorising industrial carbon emissions and integrating renewable electricity surplus. To this end, 3 complete value chains will be demonstrated at 3 different demo-sites: (i) Bioprocess based on a two-stage fermentation to produce triglycerides in a steel plant, (ii) Lipids-rich microalgae cultivation followed by hydrothermal liquefaction to produce bio-oils in a chemical plant, and (iii) Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce formic acid in a cement plant. The proposed technologies will be tested at TRL7, and the obtained energy carriers will be validated by upgrading studies. CAPTUS will also validate solutions regarding economic, environmental, societal and geo-political criteria, contributing to the development of novel business models, guidelines and strategies. CAPTUS has been structured in 8 WP, combining R&D activities, project management and demonstration activities. CAPTUS addresses this complex challenge by gathering a competitive consortium of 18 partners from 8 EU countries. Overall, CAPTUS innovations at technical, economical, managerial and social level will enable the consolidation of CCU technologies within 3 EII key sectors and leverage their benefits by reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewables share and producing valuable energy carriers