On 10 November, the final event of the CCS4CER – Carbon Capture, Storage and CO₂ Mineralization for the Ceramic Industry project was held at the Bologna Technopole. The project is coordinated by Centro Ceramico and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Emilia-Romagna Regional Programme 2021–2027 (Priority 1 – Research, Innovation and Competitiveness, Action 1.1.2). The event was organised by Romagna Tech, the project partner responsible for dissemination and communication activities, and opened with contributions from representatives of the Emilia-Romagna Region, ART-ER and the Green Tech Cluster. The scientific partners then presented the project’s main achievements. Prof. Elisa Franzoni, Scientific Director of Centro Ceramico, illustrated the results of the extensive sampling and characterisation campaign carried out during the initial stages of the project, focusing on spent lime residues from the ceramic industry. CIRI-FRAME subsequently presented the activities aimed at optimising the CO₂ mineralisation process, designed to promote the recovery and valorisation of these industrial residues. Centro Ceramico then illustrated the results of the experimental activities investigating their reuse in the formulation of mortars and cementitious binders, highlighting their potential as secondary raw materials. Finally, LEAP presented the results of an extensive simulation study aimed at assessing the integration of the main CO₂ capture technologies into ceramic manufacturing processes. The technologies were compared in terms of energy performance and economic feasibility, with particular focus on Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC).

The event provided an important opportunity for discussion and knowledge exchange among representatives from different industrial sectors and the research community. Indeed, CCS4CER aims not only to promote innovation and decarbonisation within the ceramic industry, but also to foster the principles of the circular economy and industrial symbiosis. By encouraging collaboration between hard-to-abate industrial sectors, the project seeks to contribute to making the transition towards lower-impact production processes a tangible reality.

Further information about the project is available on the official website: www.ccs4cer.it.