The innovation hub All4ZeroThe initiative, spearheaded by ArcelorMittal, Holcim, Iberia, and Repsol, is serious about its roadmap to reduce emissions: it is making progress in five proofs of concept oriented to decarbonization of industrial processes key. The initiatives range from the waste recovery and water management, up to the promotion of renewable hydrogen and CO2 capture.
These PoCs are part of technological challenges launched in Spain and they include the participation of centers and startups operating on the ground. The goal is accelerate scalable technologies with a real impact on European industry, aligned with climate neutrality by 2050 and the energy transition demanded by Brussels.
What is being tested and with whom
In the field of carbon, the Biscayan company SBS collaborates with ArcelorMittal, Holcim and Magna all with capture and mineralize CO2, taking advantage of waste and giving rise to alternative products such as renewable fuels and SAF. Compared to conventional solutions, the proposal stands out for its efficiency and for reducing operating costs in intensive processes.
In the circular economy, the technology center CIRCE (Zaragoza) works with ArcelorMittal, Holcim and Urbaser to improve the management of materials from waste. Using hyperspectral cameras and Artificial IntelligenceThey optimize the sorting and return of materials to the production chain, reducing waste and associated emissions.
Water also plays a key role. Teqma, together with Sacyr, tests at the industrial facilities of Iberia in La Muñoza a compact purification system with filtration and disinfection to regenerate wastewater. This solution facilitates its use in irrigation, industrial processes and aquifer recharge, reinforcing the water security in stressful contexts.
Parallel, Eurecat testa with ArcelorMittal and Repsol Airbus an innovative method of industrial wastewater desalinationIt aims to maximize water recovery and reduce the consumption of fresh water resources, while opening the door to circular reuse in critical operations.
In hydrogen, the American startup Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) Colaborate with Repsol in a high-durability electrolysis technology that aims to produce renewable hydrogen with a cost of up to 65% lower compared to usual methods, facilitating the deployment of electrolyzers on an industrial scale.
Where and how are Proofs of Concept validated?
The tests are carried out in laboratories and plants of the hub members, with support from teams technicians and scientists from industrial companies. This real-world validation approach allows for adjusting the performance of solutions and measuring impacts on emissions and costs and accelerate their preparation for climbing.
The model combines the industrial capacity from partners with the agility of startups and research centers. This cross-collaboration reduces iteration times, minimizes implementation risks, and provides a vision multisectoral on the viability of each technology.
New challenges and an expanding ecosystem
In parallel with these PoCs, All4Zero has launched four new challenges focused on circular economy, decarbonization and waste recoveryThe event has attracted some 160 startups and centers, reinforcing the flow of solutions and talent to the Spanish industry.
The selected projects gain access to royal facilities The experience of the teams at ArcelorMittal, Holcim, Iberia, and Repsol has already been gained. This opening facilitates the technological maturation in advanced TRLs and lays the groundwork for future implementations in Spain and other European markets.
Roadmap towards climate neutrality
With a practical and measurable approach, the hub prioritizes initiatives that reduce GHG and resource consumption, aligned with EU objectives and the horizon of zero net emissions in 2050The combination of CO2 capture and utilization, water reuseSmart waste management and renewable hydrogen cover key levers of the transition.
Although these are still proof-of-concept tests, the early results point the way for its future. industrial scalingIf they maintain performance and costs, these technologies can be integrated into energy-intensive sectors—steel, cement, aviation, or chemicals—where decarbonization is especially important. demanding.
With top-tier industrial partners and a growing network of startups and technology centersAll4Zero establishes a framework for applied innovation that focuses on tangible results: lower emissionsto optimize resources and accelerate plant-ready solutions. The coordinated progress of the five Proofs of Concept (PoCs) and the new challenges suggest that industrial decarbonization can be accelerated when technologies are tested under real-world conditions and useful knowledge is shared to facilitate scaling.
