De-fossilisation of Products and negative CO2-Emissions.
As a long-standing expert in sustainability consulting, RITTWEGER and TEAM supports companies in developing net-zero emission strategies, provide comprehensive analyses and advice on defossilization, and assist in the design of circular products and business models.
The de-fossilisation of products is a central approach for manufacturing companies to reduce their dependence on fossil raw materials and minimise their CO2 emissions. Through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) solutions and the bio-economy, companies cannot only decrease their environmental impact but also develop more sustainable business models.
Our services comprehensively support you: from analysing your emission sources to CO2e accounting of materials and products, all the way to customised strategies for achieving net-zero emissions.
As a pioneer, seize market opportunities and ensure competitiveness
Through targeted measures for emissions reduction and active CO2 removal from the atmosphere, companies have the opportunity not only to contribute to climate targets but also to strengthen their competitiveness and unlock new market opportunities. By leading the way in de-fossilisation and developing future-proof products and processes, they can drive sustainable innovation and secure a decisive market advantage. Tailored to your needs, we design closed-loop material cycles and provide interdisciplinary consulting for the implementation of new solutions and technologies.
De-fossilisation vs. decarbonisation – what’s the difference?
Decarbonisation of processes and products refers to the reduction of CO2 emissions through the use of less carbon-intensive materials and energy sources. In contrast, de-fossilisation specifically involves replacing fossil fuels and raw materials with renewable alternatives (e.g., biomass) in areas where carbon cannot be entirely eliminated.
Possible approaches to the de-fossilisation of products:
Close loops
- Take-back concepts for products: Keeping materials in the utilisation cycle in various scenarios, e.g. recycling and using returned and leftover materials.
- Waste as a resource: Today’s waste serves as input for other cycles and becomes a valuable resource. For example, organic residues can be used to produce biochar, which has various applications, such as in construction and agriculture, while also acting as a long-term CO2 storage solution.
Designing products for the circular economy
- Healthy materials and R principles: Design products so that they are made from healthy materials and are designed according to the R principles of the circular economy to keep resources in circulation. This avoids the use of primary materials, saves CO2 and reduces the impact on nature.
- Renewable Raw Materials Instead of Fossil-Based Inputs: Replace fossil-based inputs with renewable raw materials, such as using clay-based or biochar-enriched concrete to substitute CO2 intensive cement.
CO2 reduction and storage
- Long-term CO2 storage in products: Use of natural materials such as wood in construction for long-term CO2 storage.
- Support for innovative CDR projects: Promotion of projects for the active removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, such as direct air capture, enhanced rock weathering or nature-based processes, through the purchase of high-quality carbon credit certificates.
Our solutions for your transformation path to net zero emissions:
Analysis and identification
- Analysing and documenting fossil raw materials and emission sources in products and processes
- CO₂e accounting of materials and products in accordance with the GHG Protocol
Strategy and planning
- Development of a customised strategy for net-zero emissions including concrete milestones
- Modelling of closed material cycles from product design to recycling concepts
Material and technology assessment
- Expert assessment and recommendation for handling CO2-intensive product components
- Database research and selection of alternative materials and technologies
Implementation and support
- Implementation support for the transition to sustainable solutions and technologies
- Consultancy support for research projects
Compensation and communication
- Market overview of trusted CO2 compensation projects and contribution claim options
- Communication of your sustainability performance in accordance with the EU Green Claims Directive
Good to know.
The EU climate targets and the relevance of CDR
The European Union is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, with a massive reduction in CO2 emissions being the most important goal for the near future. However, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we also need large-scale technologies and nature-based solutions for active CO2 removal (CDR) from the atmosphere to offset unavoidable (residual) emissions and reduce the historical CO2 surplus. CDR includes various approaches to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, including nature-based solutions such as reforestation and rewetting of peatlands or technical approaches such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with CO2 capture and storage (BECCS).
In addition, the EU bioeconomy strategy aims to replace fossil carbon sources with those from the natural cycle, particularly in emission-intensive sectors such as the chemical, plastics and construction industries. The use of biogenic materials promotes the utilisation of renewable raw materials and (long-term) carbon sequestration in products such as wood, wood composites and biochar. These approaches enable the development of climate-positive products and sustainable product development.
