Can Carbon Capture Turn Europe’s Waste into Wealth?

From recycled plastics to North Sea storage, Europe accelerates its carbon capture drive

10 Oct 2025

Europe’s carbon capture industry is gathering pace, as scientific advances and large-scale storage projects begin to redefine the region’s approach to industrial emissions. From recycled materials used to trap carbon dioxide to offshore storage beneath the North Sea, the continent’s carbon economy is moving from research to reality.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed BAETA, a carbon-capturing material made from recycled plastic that performs efficiently even at high temperatures. The team reported their findings in a recent peer-reviewed journal, suggesting the material could tackle both plastic waste and carbon emissions. “This shows how circular chemistry could drive the next generation of sustainable industries,” said Professor Christina Li, who led the study.

At the industrial scale, major carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects are progressing across northern Europe. Norway’s Northern Lights initiative, a partnership between Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, has started injecting captured carbon dioxide into geological formations beneath the North Sea. In the Netherlands, the Porthos project is preparing offshore pipelines to transport CO₂ from Rotterdam’s industrial zone for permanent storage.

Industry collaboration is expanding as companies and research institutions explore how to incorporate next-generation materials such as BAETA into future carbon management systems. “What started as environmental compliance is becoming a strategic advantage,” said analyst Marta Eriksen.

Challenges remain around high capital costs, infrastructure readiness and public acceptance. But EU climate policy, growing investor pressure and targeted public funding are accelerating development across the sector.

With scientific innovation aligning with regulatory and corporate momentum, Europe’s carbon technologies are becoming a central element of its industrial transition. What began as a research ambition is now emerging as a key component of the region’s decarbonisation strategy.