Strategies for achieving carbon neutrality within the chemical industry

Ladan Malehmirchegini and Andrew J. Chapman

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, vol. 217, issue C

Abstract: This review paper explores the diverse strategies chemical companies are employing to achieve carbon neutrality amid escalating environmental regulations and societal demands for sustainability. The analysis focuses on the integration of advanced technologies, process optimization, and the transition to sustainable raw materials, with a special emphasis on the role of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, and the development of bio-based alternatives. These measures aim to lower the chemical sector's significant carbon footprint while also contributing to a broader sustainability goal. The evaluations of CCUS technology and renewable energy integration are central to this study's analysis, since they are critical for lowering direct CO2 emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. The study also examines how adopting more sustainable raw materials and improving process efficiency might reduce manufacturing waste and carbon footprints. This article highlights top chemical companies that have made great strides toward their carbon neutrality objectives, such as those using CCUS technology to significantly reduce operating emissions, through successful case studies. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, including advances in technology, and evolving regulatory demands. The findings provide chemical companies with practical insights for achieving carbon neutrality and offer policymakers a roadmap for creating supportive frameworks. The study emphasizes how the chemical industry is at the forefront of sustainability practices and shows how corporate goals and environmental responsibility may work together to support global sustainability initiatives.

Keywords: Environmental sustainability; Chemical industry decarbonization; Carbon footprint mitigation; Carbon neutrality; Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); Circular economy; Green chemistry; Renewable energy transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115762

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