The CeramiCO2 project, promoted by CoLAB Net4CO2 and CTCV, held its first capacity-building event yesterday at PCI – Creative Science Park Aveiro. The event brought together companies and representatives from the scientific and technological community to explore decarbonisation challenges and solutions for the Portuguese ceramic industry.
Following the welcome session by Hugo Matias, CEO of CoLAB Net4CO2, Frederico Coelho (Net4CO2) introduced the project and presented data on energy consumption, emissions, and decarbonisation opportunities in the ceramic sector. He also addressed how to assess the technical and economic viability of innovative technologies, considering investment requirements, and expected returns. He further introduced the CO2 Clinic, which enables companies to submit specific cases for analysis and identify potential decarbonisation opportunities, supported by tools designed to inform decision-making and the selection of suitable solutions.
Inês Rondão and Marisa Almeida (CTCV), discussed how to prioritise decarbonisation opportunities and outlined energy-efficiency priorities towards 2050. The programme also featured contributions from Ricardo Barbosa (INEGI), who discussed the relationship between energy and climate change and the broader energy transition and decarbonisation agenda, and António Coelho (INESC TEC), who addressed the role of multi-energy systems in industrial decarbonisation.
The event also included a series of focus groups addressing the main barriers to decarbonisation faced by Portuguese SMEs. Discussions covered regulatory and organisational challenges, infrastructure, technologies and processes, economic and financial constraints, and circularity and raw materials. At the end, participants were invited to share the main conclusions fostering the exchange of experiences and the identification of solutions tailored to the sector’s needs.
In the closing session, Vítor Francisco (CTCV) highlighted the success of the event, emphasising the opportunities and collaborations established and the value of the participants’ contributions, particularly the open and transparent way in which participants shared their experiences, challenges and perspectives, engaging in frank and constructive discussions without reservations.
Throughout this event and the CO2 Clinic, CeramiCO2 aims to support ceramic companies in identifying, assessing and adopting solutions that contribute to a more energy-efficient and lower-carbon industry.
