STEP-Chem - Technological and Socio-Economic Strategies for a Sustainable Chemical Industry

In the transition towards a climate neutral society, the chemical industry is facing huge challenges. In order to limit
the consequences of global climate change, it is paramount to develop new and intensified technologies that allow
reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower energy-intensity, contribute to carbon neutrality and allow
replacement of traditional fossil-based feedstocks by renewable production pathways.
The European Union has put in place a legally binding framework to deliver on its pledges under the Paris
Agreement and it is successfully transitioning towards climate neutrality by 2050. The Flemish government has
initiated an ambitious moonshot program that aims to develop and realize new and unique technology by 2040,
that will make the intended transition of the Flemish energy-intensive industry into a carbon-smart economy by
2050 possible. Thus, besides the huge technological needs and challenges, there is a clear societal and political
necessity for innovation in the chemical industry.
The continuation of the GEAR-program STEP-Chem aims at the effective valorization of our innovative generic
research in the field of sustainable chemistry and intensified separation technology through collaboration with
chemical industry. The expertise of the Chemical Engineering Department (CHIS) in sustainable chemical
separation technology is combined with the know-how of the Center for Energy, Economics, and Environment
(C3E) in the economic modeling of processes, environment, and sustainable transition roadmaps. This allows to
provide an integrated approach, which not only considers technological challenges but also the economic and
legislative framework, such that feasible solutions are proposed to meet the demands of our society and industry.