Technological roadmap for the development of carbon utilization industries: A case study of Ningxia

The utilization of carbon is the key technology to promote the development of circular economy and carbon emission reduction, and it is also one of the important ways to achieve carbon neutrality. Ningxia is the first province in China to carry out research on regional carbon utilization industry planning. This study delves into the research advancements in diverse carbon utilization technologies, formulating evaluation indicators and a comprehensive carbon utilization technology assessment system. By integrating the current state of carbon utilization in Ningxia with future industrial plans, the study identifies pivotal technologies crucial for the deployment of carbon utilization industries in the region. The results indicate that technologies such as carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery, carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol, carbon dioxide synthesis of dimethyl carbonate, carbon dioxide carbonization curing of concrete, steel slag mineralization, and cultured microalgae demonstrated outstanding performance in the comprehensive evaluation, suggesting priority development in Ningxia. Technologies such as carbon dioxide synthesis of isocyanates, calcium carbide slag and phosphorous paste mineralization, and carbon dioxide utilization as gas fertilizer showed promising results, recommending further exploration and reserve through pilot demonstrations for frontier technologies in the next steps.