Led by HELLENiQ ENERGY (Greece), this four-year initiative unites 16 European partners from eight countries in a multidisciplinary effort to accelerate industrial decarbonisation, strengthen Europe’s technological leadership, and advance its transition towards climate neutrality.
Funded under the Horizon Europe Programme, STEROPE (Synergistic Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies for ConvERsion of Industrially Emitted CO₂ to sustainable Production of biofuels and chEmicals) embodies the EU’s vision of an innovative, resilient and sustainable industry.
By converting CO₂ emissions from refineries and other hard-to-abate sectors into renewable fuels, the project provides tangible solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while reinforcing industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and job preservation across Europe.
The initiative directly contributes to the goals of the European Green Deal, the Fit-for-55 package, and the EU Industrial Strategy, supporting the transition towards net-zero emissions by 2050 and reducing dependence on imported fossil energy.
STEROPE will implement a first-of-its-kind TRL 7 demonstration at the Eleusis refinery (Greece)—a fully operational industrial site—where three complementary CCU prototype units (capture, conversion and synthesis) will be designed, constructed, installed and operated under real refinery conditions.
This large-scale integration represents a turning point for industrial CCU deployment in Europe, demonstrating the technical and economic viability of decarbonising existing assets rather than replacing them.
A digital-twin platform will continuously optimise performance, energy efficiency and environmental impact, maximising the use of renewable electricity and system flexibility.
By coupling CO₂ valorisation with renewable hydrogen and advanced catalytic conversion, STEROPE showcases how Europe can close the carbon loop and redefine the future of its industrial base.
