In an exploratory scenario, this study investigates the CO_₂ emission reductions that can be achieved in the global chemical and derived material industries if the entire demand for embedded carbon is met solely and exclusively via CO_₂ instead of from fossil sources. Major simplifications are used to achieve transparency and comprehensibility of the issue. Methanol (CH₃OH) is considered to cover the needs for hydrocarbons for chemicals and derived materials among the various chemical intermediates as a representative pathway for renewable carbon. It is a plausible scenario to assign methanol a central role in supplying the chemical industry of the future.

The GHG emissions of CCU-based methanol could be 67 to 77 % lower compared to emissions from releasing embedded carbon of fossil fuels, when using current energy supply based on photovoltaics. With improvements in renewable energy production, the reduction could increase to levels between 96 and 100 %.

It is a plausible scenario to assign methanol (CH_₃OH) a central role in supplying the chemical industry of the future. Already today, methanol plays an important role in the chemical industry, being one of the most established commodities.

CCU-based process route for production of methanol includes production of hydrogen via electrolysis, CO_₂ capture from the atmosphere or from industrial point sources, and the hydrogenation reaction. Electricity demand for these processes is represented by red arrows. Above the arrow, the specific energy demand is stated, below, the contribution of the process to the total electricity demand of 1 t of methanol is stated. Purification and compression of hydrogen are neglected. For CO_₂ hydrogenation, a complete reaction is assumed.