Launch of the major TRL 3–6 CarbNETs programme at the National Institute of Chemistry
Kisovec, 18 June 2026 - The official launch of the major research and development programme CarbNETs took place with an introductory Kick-Off event. The programme will address CO₂ capture, thermal energy management, and electrification using net-zero industrial technologies for decarbonisation. The event was attended by more than 50 representatives of 20 consortium partners from acround Slovenia, confirming the programme’s exceptional national significance and ambition.
The CarbNETs programme represents Slovenia’s central development initiative for a new generation of net-zero technological innovations. It brings together 5 national research institutions and 15 leading Slovenian companies in a strategic, cross-sector consortium whose objective is to develop and accelerate the industrial deployment of breakthrough technologies for decarbonisation and the transition to a circular and sustainable economy.
“CarbNETs represents concrete steps towards the development and deployment of Slovenian technologies for industrial decarbonisation. I believe that, through the programme, we have connected top-tier research organisations and companies that will jointly co-create solutions for the green transition, greater economic competitiveness, and a sustainable future. Comprehensive programmes of this kind, addressing the full value chain from CO₂ sources and capture technologies to useful products and clean and alternative energy, are rare even within the European context. This makes the CarbNETs consortium important also for the European development infrastructure,” said Dr Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec, Head of the Laboratory for Demonstration of H2 and CO2 Technologies at the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies at the National Institute of Chemistry in Kisovec, upon the launch of the operation.
The CarbNETs programme addresses key environmental challenges and industrial needs in an interdisciplinary manner during the green transition and in strengthening resilience. The programme is focused on developing advanced solutions for sectors that are among the significant sources of CO₂ emissions, particularly the chemical, construction, and other energy-intensive industries. In doing so, it directly supports the S5 priority area “Networks for the Transition to a Circular Economy” and contributes to maintaining the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy under increasingly stringent European climate and environmental requirements.
In terms of content, the programme is structured around five interconnected pillars: the development of new CO₂ capture solutions; the conversion of CO₂ into green chemicals; advanced bio-based materials; circular management of heat and water and the conversion of CO₂ into ethanol; and horizontal TEA and LCA analyses intended to guide circular economy integration and prepare technologies for market entry. These pillars connect 16 research and development projects, within which partners will develop advanced sustainable technologies with a high degree of material and energy loop closure.
The programme foresees the development of at least 37 new products and services up to TRL6, their validation in industrially relevant environments, and their further development. In this way, CarbNETs will make an important contribution to transferring knowledge into practice, strengthening development capacities, and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the Slovenian sustainable ecosystem within the broader European area. The programme is also aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package, and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
The programme is coordinated by the Laboratory for Demonstration of H2 and CO2 Technologies at the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies at the National Institute of Chemistry in Kisovec. The operation began on 1 June 2026 and will run until 30 June 2029. The total value of the operation amounts to EUR 17,856,673.49, while the total co-financing amounts to EUR 7,626,435.94. The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The consortium is composed of research organisations and companies from across Slovenia: National Institute of Chemistry, University of Ljubljana – Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Maribor – Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Maribor – Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, ICP – Pulp and Paper Institute, TECOS, ACIES BIO d.o.o., ADRIA MOBIL d.o.o. Novo mesto, Alpacem Cement d.d., BELINKA PERKEMIJA d.o.o., ETI Elektroelement d.o.o., GIC GRADNJE d.o.o., IMPOL d.o.o., KOTO d.o.o. Ljubljana, MELAMIN d.d. Kočevje, OMEGA AIR inženiring d.o.o. Ljubljana, PROCESNI INŽENIRING d.o.o., ReCatalyst d.o.o., STEKLARNA HRASTNIK d.o.o., and VinTech d.o.o.
For additional information about the CarbNETs programme and its activities, interested members of the public may contact the programme coordinator, the National Institute of Chemistry, at: carbnets(at)ki.si
