Over €35 million for major R&D consortium to green the chemical industry with hydrogen

GroenvermogenNL is running an R&D program to unite the expertise of knowledge institutions and companies in order to accelerate and scale up hydrogen production and use. A key component of this R&D program focuses on the chemical industry — a sector of great value to the Dutch economy. That’s why it’s essential that the Netherlands retains this sector while helping it transition in line with the energy transition. Moreover, chemistry can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by switching to green chemistry and green electrons. 

Hydrogen and green electrons for carbon-based chemistry

Through a public call, GroenvermogenNL challenged researchers and industry to submit a joint proposal for a cleaner and more circular chemical industry. Specifically, the call focused on the use of hydrogen and green electrons in the production of carbon-based chemicals. The aim is to reduce CO₂ emissions during this process. 

HyCARB: a consortium of dozens of partners

In response to the call, a group of 9 universities, 5 universities of applied sciences, 3 research institutes and 30 companies formed a single consortium: HyCARB. In two intensive workshops, the partners developed a joint project proposal, which they submitted at the end of March. With success: GroenvermogenNL is funding the project with €35.3 million. The consortium is contributing an additional €10.3 million, bringing the total investment to €45.7 million for a project that will run for five years. 

HyCARB: the project plan

HyCARB’s goal is to develop technologies for industrial end users to produce carbon-based chemicals using hydrogen, green electricity, and captured CO₂. The consortium explores breakthrough opportunities for cost- and energy-efficient sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. In addition, HyCARB investigates improved equipment and components and develops and tests innovative approaches for electric process heat. Partners also carry out lab studies combined with techno-economic and life-cycle assessments of these techniques to support the industry in becoming carbon-free. 

“Crucial for hydrogen scale-up”

“This theme is crucial for scaling up green hydrogen in the Netherlands, as it targets one of the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors: the chemical industry,” says Maryam Alimoradi Jazi, Program Manager at GroenvermogenNL. “By developing technologies that combine hydrogen, green electrons, and captured CO₂, we can achieve major emission reductions in a vital part of our economy.” According to her, HyCARB supports not just innovation but true collaboration. “This ensures research is translated into practical solutions. This theme complements others by focusing on hydrogen end-use, connecting production, integration and application.”