On 30 April 2026, we brought together researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders at the Grand Hotel San Michele in Cetraro, Italy, with additional participants joining online, for a hybrid event under the ECO2Fuel project. The session, titled “Advancing Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction Systems for e-Fuels Production: Bridging the Gap between Lab and Industrial Scale Deployment”, showcased our latest progress toward transforming carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals.
From Laboratory Innovation to Industrial Reality
We opened the event with Faria Huq (DLR), who set the tone by presenting advances in a 50 kW stack electrolyser. Her talk highlighted not only technical progress but also the broader ambition of scaling CO₂ conversion technologies to commercially viable levels. The emphasis on system integration and performance optimisation reflected a clear shift from experimental setups to real-world applications.
A deep dive into reaction mechanisms followed, as Antonino Salvatore Aricò (CNR) explored CO₂ reduction within anion exchange membrane co-electrolysis cells. His focus on CuOx nanoparticle-based gas diffusion electrodes illustrated how nanoscale engineering is unlocking greater efficiency and selectivity in the conversion process.
Materials, Catalysts, and Performance Optimisation
Our mid-morning sessions emphasised the critical role of materials science. Sara Goberna Ferron (UPV-ITQ) presented advancements in catalyst design, bridging the gap between theoretical development and electrochemical performance. Her work on both anode and cathode optimisation demonstrated how incremental improvements at the material level can yield substantial gains in system efficiency.
Building on this, Eirini Zagoraiou (Monolithos) addressed the challenges of scaling catalysts from lab to pilot systems. Her presentation highlighted performance consistency, characterisation techniques, and emerging recycling strategies—all key considerations for sustainable industrial deployment.
Scaling Up: From Bench to Industry
Anna Testolin (De Nora) discussed the transition of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) from controlled laboratory conditions to industrial-scale validation. Her insights underscored the engineering complexities involved in maintaining performance across different scales.
Similarly, Alessandra Carbone (CNR) focused on anion exchange membranes, detailing their evolution from laboratory prototypes to large-scale devices. Her presentation emphasised durability and efficiency as pivotal factors in enabling long-term industrial use.
The technical program finalised with Joost Helsen (VITO), who presented the design and development of a 50 kW CO₂ electrolyser system. His talk brought together the event’s key threads, materials, catalysts, and system engineering, demonstrating how integrated design is essential for scaling up e-fuel production technologies.
A Step Toward a Circular Carbon Future
This ECO2Fuel hybrid event highlighted a clear trajectory: electrochemical CO₂ conversion is moving beyond proof-of-concept toward scalable solutions. By aligning advances in catalysis, membrane technology, and system engineering, we are contributing to the development of sustainable e-fuels, an essential component in Europe’s broader decarbonisation strategy.
