From industrial CO₂ to clean fuels for aviation and maritime transport
STEROPE demonstrates an integrated carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) value chain at real refinery scale, converting industrial CO₂ into advanced renewable fuels through innovative capture, catalytic conversion and green hydrogen integration.
Funded under the Horizon Europe Programme, STEROPE (Synergistic Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies for ConvERsion of Industrially Emitted CO₂ to sustainable Production of biofuels and chEmicals) addresses the defossilisation challenge of hard-to-abate sectors by turning industrial CO₂ emissions into a valuable resource.
The project delivers a first-of-a-kind TRL7 CCU system operating under real refinery conditions, enabling the production of renewable e-fuels for aviation, maritime transport
and the chemical sector, and accelerating Europe’s transition towards a low-carbon, circular energy system.
Key objectives
STEROPE AIMS TO:
Demonstrate integrated and sustainable CCU value chains at refinery scale.
Enable efficient CO₂ utilisation in line with circular economy principles.
Support the deployment of advanced renewable fuels for aviation and maritime transport.
Strengthen industrial symbiosis and reduce emissions in energy-intensive processes.
Core technologies
STEROPE INTEGRATES:
Advanced CO₂ capture and purification from industrial emissions.
Catalytic conversion technologies for e-methanol and e-DME production.
Green hydrogen integration for renewable fuel synthesis (eSAF).
Digital-twin optimisation for system efficiency and industrial integration.
Demonstration at real scale
The STEROPE demonstration plant will be deployed at HELLENiQ ENERGY’s Eleusis Refinery (Greece), validating an end-to-end CCU pathway under real industrial conditions and paving the way for future large-scale replication across Europe.
Expected impact
STEROPE AIMS TO:
Reduction of industrial CO₂ emissions through conversion into renewable fuels.
Acceleration of low-carbon solutions for aviation and maritime transport.
Improved industrial competitiveness through circular and integrated processes.
Contribution to Europe’s climate neutrality
and clean energy transition goals.