With a budget of over 1 million euros for their design, the mobile testing units will facilitate the implementation of technologies to reduce the industrial carbon footprint
In a significant step for decarbonization initiatives, last week, the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) awarded the tender for the design and manufacture of four mobile testing units dedicated to evaluating innovative technologies in CO2 capture and utilization. With a total budget of €1,100,000, these units are intended for energy-intensive industrial sectors such as steel, cement, waste, and petrochemical industries.
The goal of this project is to create experimental and testing facilities that serve as specialized centers for testing solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of industrial processes. The mobile testing units will function as mobile laboratories where technology developers and companies can evaluate the latest advancements in environments similar to industrial settings. Depending on budget availability, there is a plan to construct three capture units and one for CO2 capture and utilization.
These advanced mobile testing units will be essential tools for industries facing the challenges in reducing their carbon footprint. By facilitating real-time assessment of CO2 capture technologies, these units will enable companies to identify effective emission reduction strategies to meet their environmental goals.
The tender reflects the growing recognition of the role research plays in addressing global challenges. As global efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions intensify, deploying a public-private collaboration between government, private companies, and research centers offers a flexible and effective approach to evaluating potential solutions in different operational contexts.
“The development of these mobile units is a fundamental step for research and industry to work together to find solutions,” says Prof. Emilio J. Palomares Gil, director of ICIQ. “By providing the necessary tools to test and implement new CO2 capture technologies, we can significantly accelerate the industry’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy, while ensuring industrial competitiveness, job preservation, and the creation of new ones.”
The selected contractor, a Temporary Union of Companies between the technological center Eurecat and the engineering firm Ingeniería y Consultoría CIRAUQUI S.L., will work closely to ensure that the mobile testing units are equipped with cutting-edge technology and designed to adapt to different environments, as specified in the tender documents. The initiative aims not only to promote innovation but also to foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the region.
With this initiative, Catalonia positions itself as a leader in researching and implementing technologies for a more sustainable future, as recommended in the Draghi Report, which also highlights the importance of education and training in green technologies to prepare the workforce of the future. The project for the design and manufacture of the mobile units, expected in the first quarter of 2025, will lay the foundation for the tender for the construction of the mobile testing units, which will be initiated with the €5 million previously awarded by the Government of the Generalitat of Catalonia. The project’s execution is expected to proceed gradually as the necessary funding is secured.
