ExxonMobil Benelux has officially started construction on a new pilot project in Rotterdam that combines cutting-edge carbon capture with clean energy production.
The initiative will test a Carbonate Fuel Cell (CFC) system designed to extract more than 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas combustion, while also producing electricity, hydrogen, and heat.
Unlike traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, which often consume significant energy, the CFC pilot turns emissions control into an energy-generating process. Developed in collaboration with US-based FuelCell Energy, the technology uses fuel cell stacks to trap CO2 directly from industrial flue gases while producing usable power and other valuable outputs.
Redefining Carbon Capture as an Energy Asset
The first foundation pile has now been laid at ExxonMobil’s Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex, signaling the transition from planning to implementation. The pilot aims to prove that CFCs could dramatically improve the economics of CCS — transforming it from a regulatory burden into a potential source of revenue and clean energy.
Early lab results suggest that integrating carbonate fuel cells into gas-fired power systems could capture the vast majority of CO2 emissions while increasing net electricity output.
Additionally, the modular nature of the system means it can be customized to fit various industrial settings, offering flexibility and scalability for different applications.
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Speaking at the project’s ceremonial groundbreaking, ExxonMobil project lead Menno Spaanderman acknowledged the collective efforts behind the pilot’s launch: “This celebration is not only for driving this first pile, it is also an appreciation to the entire global project team and all other stakeholders who make it possible for us to start the construction work of the pilot plant here in Rotterdam.”
The pilot plant is part of ExxonMobil Benelux’s larger push to decarbonize its operations and invest in advanced, commercially viable CCS technologies.
With stricter emissions rules on the horizon across the EU, the project could serve as a blueprint for cleaner, more efficient industrial operations worldwide.
Read more: FuelCell Energy And Exxon Extend And Update Their Joint Carbon Capture Agreement
