The European CO₂ Summit 2026 in Rotterdam opened with a clear message: Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) is no longer a niche concept but a pillar of Europe’s industrial transition. Our Policy Director, Tudy Bernier, set the tone for the event with a high-level opening keynote providing an in-depth look at how the European Union’s evolving policy landscape is shaping the future of CO₂-derived products.
While the EU is granting an unprecedented role for CCU in new legislation, Tudy used his keynote to address the reality on the ground: “The framework is there, but it is quite strict, and a number of projects are still struggling to reach final investment decisions (FIDs).”
During the event, Tudy was also interviewed by Gasworld. In this highlight reel, he dives into the specific carbon capture technologies driving innovation and the challenges of this “unprecedented” regulatory landscape. A major takeaway from his address is the urgent need to ensure that incoming CCU policy frameworks systematically advantage these technologies to help projects scale and move past the FID hurdle.
A Multi-Sector Approach to Carbon Capture and Utilisation
During both his keynote address and the interview, Tudy highlighted three critical pathways where CCU is set to make the most significant impact:
- CCU Fuels: Vital for decarbonising “hard-to-abate” sectors like aviation and shipping.
- CO₂-based Chemicals: Moving away from fossil-based carbon to create a circular economy for the chemical industry.
- Mineralisation: Utilising carbon capture to turn CO2 into stable solid forms for construction materials, permanently binding CO₂ in materials in the form of minerals.
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in EU Policy
While the current CCU policy framework is robust, Tudy noted that the path forward involves navigating a complex clean-tech journey. The primary challenge remains the rapid scale-up of carbon capture infrastructure and ensuring that the legislation is matched by economic interests. However, the opportunities are vast; by leading in CCU innovation, Europe can secure its industrial competitiveness while significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
At CO₂ Value Europe, we remain committed to bridging the gap between carbon capture technology and policy implementation.
