In a major step towards advancing sustainable manufacturing, Technip Energies and LanzaTech Global, Inc. have secured up to $200 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). According to the press release, the funding is designated to support Phase 1 of their joint initiative, the Sustainable Ethylene from CO2 Utilization with Renewable Energy Project (Project SECURE). The initiative aims to dramatically reduce the carbon emissions associated with ethylene production by converting captured carbon dioxide (CO2) into sustainable products using low-carbon hydrogen.
The goal of Project SECURE is to create a commercial-scale process that captures CO2 emissions from ethylene crackers and transforms them into ethanol and ethylene—two key building blocks in the global chemical industry. The first pilot of this innovative technology is set to launch in the U.S. Gulf Coast, an area with high concentrations of ethylene production. The project holds the potential for widespread replication, with approximately 370 ethylene crackers worldwide, many already using Technip Energies’ technology.
This pioneering partnership builds on LanzaTech’s successful carbon recycling technology, which has already received previous support from the DOE. The technology, initially designed for the ethylene sector, is also adaptable to other industries that produce carbon-rich waste emissions, enabling the transformation of waste into renewable ethanol instead of releasing harmful CO2 into the atmosphere.
As part of the commitment, OCED will provide a total of $200 million over the life of the project, which is intended to fund the design, construction, and commissioning of a commercial-scale integrated technology system. Phase 1 alone is being funded with $20 million, covering the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study, environmental impact assessments, and community engagement.
Commenting on the announcement, Arnaud Pieton, CEO of Technip Energies, said: “We’re excited to begin work on this ground-breaking project, which has the potential to decarbonize a critical sector of the chemical industry. As global demand for ethylene rises, our priority is to decarbonize its production. This technology not only reduces emissions but transforms them into valuable products, enabling a sustainable future for the industry.”
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “Ethylene is crucial to the production of countless chemicals and materials. Through Project SECURE, we can both enhance the efficiency of current infrastructure and provide high-quality jobs. By recycling carbon emissions into renewable products, we are taking significant steps towards achieving a circular economy, and we are grateful for the DOE’s support to scale this technology.”
The collaboration between Technip Energies and LanzaTech aligns with OCED’s mission to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions and decarbonization technologies across the industrial sector. By supporting Project SECURE, the DOE aims to drive the transition towards a low-carbon economy, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainable manufacturing practices.
As the project moves forward, OCED will oversee the progress of each project phase, evaluating technological development and the benefits to local communities. The phased approach ensures that the project meets its sustainability goals and delivers measurable impact.
By focusing on carbon capture and utilization, this initiative stands as a key milestone in reducing industrial carbon emissions, creating new clean energy technologies, and promoting a sustainable future for global industries reliant on ethylene.
