EEW Energy from waste and GEA Partner to advance CO₂ capture technology

EEW Energy from Waste (EEW) and machinery and plant manufacturer GEA have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at advancing CO₂ capture technologies. The collaboration’s primary goal is to test and refine innovative CO₂ capture processes under real-world conditions, with the intention of scaling these solutions for industrial application.

The first step in this partnership involves EEW acquiring a mobile test facility from GEA. The unit will be deployed at various EEW locations, starting in the summer of 2025, with the first tests taking place in Delfzijl, Netherlands. This pilot project is designed to assess the efficiency, scalability, and integration of CO₂ capture into EEW’s existing thermal waste recycling systems.

Paving the Way for Large-Scale CO₂ Capture

Dr. Joachim Manns, Chief Operating Officer of EEW, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Together, we are focusing on cutting-edge CO₂ capture technologies to enable their large-scale implementation. The test plant is a key milestone in improving energy efficiency, reducing plant strain, and advancing the technological maturity of carbon capture solutions. This is essential for the success of our decarbonization strategy.”
Dr. Felix Ortloff, Senior Director of Carbon Capture Solutions at GEA, added, “With this new test plant, we are supporting EEW’s decarbonization goals. CO₂ capture is a critical component of that journey.”

The Need for a Clear Regulatory Framework

While EEW is making strides in technology and partnerships, there is a pressing need for a stable regulatory framework in Germany. Despite the technological viability of CO₂ capture, large-scale projects remain hindered by a lack of legal clarity around CO₂ transportation, storage, utilization, and financial compensation.
Dr. Manns called on policymakers to take action, saying, “We are ready to move forward, but we need clear regulations to make it happen. The new federal government must act now to create a regulatory framework that supports economically viable investments in CO₂ capture infrastructure, including a CO₂ pipeline network and secure planning for future investments.

The Role of Thermal Waste Utilization in Carbon Management

Thermal waste utilization, particularly by EEW, has the potential to significantly contribute to carbon management efforts. Over half of EEW’s emissions are biogenic, meaning that capturing and storing this CO₂ could generate negative emissions—an essential component for meeting national climate goals.

GEA’s Comprehensive Carbon Capture Solutions

GEA offers a full suite of carbon capture solutions, from gas purification and heat recovery to downstream CO₂ separation and liquefaction. These technologies help reduce CO₂ emissions through integrated, end-to-end solutions. Additionally, GEA’s systems allow for the decoupling of thermal energy, which can be used to generate electricity, further reducing emissions. The captured CO₂ can also be converted into valuable products such as methanol, a key chemical for industries like plastics and pharmaceuticals (Carbon Capture Utilization, or CCU). Furthermore, GEA supports both the storage (CCS) and the combined storage and utilization (CCUS) of CO₂.
With its modular approach and standardized plant capacities, GEA provides flexible, scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs of various industries, making it easier for emitters to implement carbon capture technologies.