Short project title: CarbNETs

Full project title: CO₂ Capture, Thermal Energy Management and Electrification Using Net-Zero Industrial Technologies for Decarbonization

Project description:

The CarbNETs program is Slovenia’s flagship initiative for developing the next generation of net-zero technological innovations. It brings together 20 leading national research institutions and innovative companies in a strategic cross-sector consortium. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the program addresses environmental challenges and the need to maintain industrial competitiveness during the transition to decarbonization and sustainable industrial processes.

Its objective is to develop and accelerate the industrial deployment of globally breakthrough carbon transformation technologies with high innovation potential and significant environmental and economic impact. The core concept of CarbNETs is to significantly accelerate the green transition through deep decarbonization of industrial sectors that are among the largest sources of CO₂ emissions, particularly the chemical, construction, and energy-intensive industries.

The program objectives are implemented through five interconnected thematic pillars:

i) Novel CO₂ capture solutions
ii) Conversion of CO₂ into green chemicals
iii) Advanced bio-based materials
iv) Circular heat and water management, and conversion of CO₂ into ethanol
v) Horizontal TEA (Techno-Economic Assessment) and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to guide circular economy integration and prepare technologies for market deployment

These pillars encompass 16 research and development projects (R&D projects), within which partners will co-develop advanced solutions in sustainable technologies characterized by a high degree of material and energy flow circularity.

The program aims to develop at least 37 new products and services up to Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6), validate them in industrially relevant environments, and further advance them to TRL9.

CarbNETs directly supports the S5 priority area, “Networks for the Transition to a Circular Economy”, with the goal of maintaining the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy through its transformation into a circular, innovative, and environmentally sustainable economy.

The program is also fully aligned with increasingly stringent EU regulatory frameworks, including the European Green Deal, Fit for 55, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. CarbNETs enables the development of high-value-added solutions, accelerates knowledge transfer, strengthens human resource development, and contributes to the long-term competitiveness of Slovenia’s sustainable innovation ecosystem at the European level.

The program is coordinated by the Laboratory for Demonstration of H₂ and CO₂ Technologies, part of the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies at the National Institute of Chemistry in Kisovec, Slovenia.

Consortium Partners

• National Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Carbon-Free Technologies, Kisovec
• University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• University of Maribor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture
• Pulp and Paper Institute
• TECOS, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre
• ACIES BIO d.o.o.
• ADRIA MOBIL d.o.o., Novo mesto
• Alpacem Cement d.d.
• BELINKA PERKEMIJA d.o.o.
• ETI Elektroelement d.o.o.
• GIC GRADNJE d.o.o.
• IMPOL d.o.o.
• KOTO d.o.o., Ljubljana
• MELAMIN d.d., Kočevje
• OMEGA AIR Engineering d.o.o., Ljubljana
• PROCESNI INŽENIRING d.o.o.
• ReCatalyst d.o.o.
• STEKLARNA HRASTNIK d.o.o.
• VinTech d.o.o.

The project started on 1 June 2026 and will run until 30 June 2029.

The total project value amounts to EUR 17,856,673.49, while the total co-financing contribution amounts to EUR 7,626,435.94.

The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).