IMCD Cares Fund
IMCD is investing in research for new Green Building Technology
Direct Air Capture in the Built Environment - a novel ventilation technology
IMCD Germany supports visionary research project Direct Air Capture in the Built Environment (DACBE), a novel ventilation concept for large building complexes.
Racing to net zero emissions
By 2050 the European Union wants to be climate-neutral, with net zero greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. However, experts claim that emitting less carbon dioxide alone will no longer be enough. New technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions need to be explored.
At the same time, the constantly growing demand for energy needs to be reduced. Particularly, the built environment holds a great potential to reduce emissions and energy consumption, as construction, usage, renovation, and demolition of buildings in the European Union causes about 40% of the energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions1.
In Germany alone, 120 million tons of CO2 were caused by the building sector in 20202. The German Climate Protection Act aims to reduce these emissions by almost 50% by 20303. To achieve these climate goals, it is important to ensure the sustainable and climate-friendly management of new and existing buildings.
IMCD Germany is committed to play a role in this process. Therefore, we are funding under the scope of the IMCD Cares Fund, a new research project that is being conducted by the European University of Applied Sciences (EU|FH) in Brühl, which is looking into the question of how negative emissions in the built environment can be generated to get closer to achieving these climate goals.
Lars Wallstein
Managing Director at IMCD Germany"As a solution oriented company, sustainability is very close to our hearts. That is why IMCD is constantly looking for innovative solutions with our customers and suppliers to achieve sustainability goals together. By supporting visionary research projects, such as the DACBE project, we set an example and contribute to a better future.
At the same time, this kind of partnership with the European University of Applied Sciences is very valuable. The collaboration is exemplary for the practical relevance of the dual training and a great benefit for our company, as we have motivated and highly qualified junior staff during and after their studies."
Direct Air Capture in the Built Environment
A future technology in demandThe research team, led by Prof. Dr. Sascha Nehr, head of the department Management and Engineering at EU|FH, is now elaborating the potential to reduce the costs and energy consumption by using a technology that captures carbon dioxide, called Direct Air Capture (DAC).
The idea is to use the DAC technology in a novel ventilation concept, that actively removes CO2 from building exhaust air, filters remaining impurities and recirculates the air back to the building at nearly the same temperature without the use of heat exchangers.
The idea is to use the DAC technology in a novel ventilation concept, that actively removes CO2 from building exhaust air, filters remaining impurities and recirculates the air back to the building at nearly the same temperature without the use of heat exchangers.
The overall goal is to achieve total energy savings in combination with cost-efficient CO2 capture while improving indoor air quality in large building complexes.
The use of direct air capture technology in exhaust air could be of interest in the future, especially for healthcare and education buildings or for large administrative and office buildings. This approach is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of business models in emerging circular economies.
The use of direct air capture technology in exhaust air could be of interest in the future, especially for healthcare and education buildings or for large administrative and office buildings. This approach is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of business models in emerging circular economies.
The threefold approach of DACBE aims to
Improve indoor air quality through efficient ventilation in large building complexes.
Exploit energy saving potentials through reduced air conditioning demands.
Capture CO2 from building exhaust air to reuse in decentralised systems.
Direct Air Capture
a technology in use
The DAC technology is already used in atmospheric air.
It is driven, by only a few companies worldwide and requires large ventilators and heating, which causes a high energy expenditure.
The idea of using Direct Air Capture in building exhaust air, was planted following a student project of Jonas Kulozik, an IMCD dual student and his team, when they used DAC as a natural source of carbon dioxide for protein production.
Jonas Kulozik
Financial Warehouse and Stock Controller of IMCD Germany“To achieve our climate goals, we are dependent on new research and innovation. It is great to see, that IMCD understands and values this. After my work on the previous student project and within the team of Professor Nehr, I see a great potential in this research, and I am eager to play an active role towards a more sustainable future. In my career at IMCD and as a part of this research team.”
EU|FH and IMCD
Long-term partners for education & developing future leadersWithin our dual study program, we have been successfully partnering with the European University of Applied Sciences (EU|FH) since 2014. The European University of Applied Sciences (EU|FH) is a private, state-accredited university that offers several business and health programs at bachelor‘s and master‘s level.
Within the framework of the dual study program at IMCD, a recognised vocational training is combined with a degree program at the university.
Students acquire both an academic bachelor's degree in "Retail Management and International Business" or "Industrial Engineering" at the EU|FH - and a certified vocational qualification.
During the practical phases, the students get to know the company IMCD and gain deep insights into all business management areas such as purchasing, sales or controlling and the chemical industry.
References
1 European Commission
2 Federal Ministry for the Environment in Germany
3 Federal Government of Germany