Technology catalogue for industrial decarbonisation: innovative solutions for Hard-to-Abate sectors

Challenge

Focusing on four critical sectors (steel, cement, plastic, and fertilizer), each playing a substantial role in global CO₂ emissions, we supported and accelerated decarbonization initiatives for a client operating across these hard-to-abate industries.  

The project presented several key challenges: 

- Multisectoral scope encompassing four very different industries. 

- Multidisciplinary integration of market, technological and financial analyses, bridging expertise in technology, economics, and sustainability. 

- Collaboration with external sector experts to ensure a robust and credible assessment. 

- Strategic management of high-impact project, delivering actionable insights and practical implementation tools. 

Applied expertise 

To address this challenge, we created a comprehensive catalogue of promising technological solutions tailored to each sector.  

For every industry, we identified at least 23 viable technologies and classified them using the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) index. This scale ranges from nascent (<6), to emerging (6 ≤ TRL < 9), to mature (TRL = 9) technologies, providing a clear framework for assessing innovation maturity. 

The project was developed through three phases: 

- Conducting in-depth market and sector analyses to identify 92 relevant technologies.

- Developing detailed technology sheets, forming the backbone of the catalog and serving as the project’s flagship deliverable. 

- Creating financial models for each sector to evaluate the economic feasibility of the proposed solutions. 

Impact 

This initiative marked a pivotal step toward envisioning the future of decarbonization technologies. The technology catalogue not only provided strategic direction but also opened pathways for continuous innovation and improvement. It stands as a dynamic resource, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and drive sustainable transformation across industries.