The Competence Centre for Catalysis has since the start in 1995 successively become a world-renowned centre for research in heterogeneous catalysis with a unique interdisciplinary approach. The centre has a successful track-record of responding to industrial and societal demands, and to develop knowledge and products within heterogeneous catalysis. The centre meets the urgent challenges of sustainable systems for transportation, chemical and materials production, and energy conversion.
Catalytic techniques are central in the development of a sustainable, fossil-free society. Catalysts exist for some of the important processes, but are limited by low activity at low temperatures, low selectivity, high cost and dependence on precious metals. Thus, many of the potential processes within sustainable energy systems are presently in part neither economically nor environmentally viable. Instead, there is a strong need for development of catalytic techniques and solutions that enable sustainable transportation, sustainable and energy-efficient production lines, and robust energy systems. A focus on development of innovative catalytic techniques will make it possible for society to enter an era of circular use of resources.
The Competence Centre for Catalysis collects the interdisciplinary expertise required to facilitate the transition to sustainable energy systems by use of catalytic techniques. The academic partners are situated at Chalmers University of Technology with researchers from Advanced Imaging and Spectroscopy, Applied Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Physics and Energy Systems Analysis. The Competence Centre for Catalysis assembles key stakeholders within the industrial sector including both catalyst manufactures (Johnson Matthey and Umicore) and users of catalysts and catalytic techniques (ECAPS, Perstorp, Powercell, Preem, Scania CV and Volvo Group).
The Competence Centre for Catalysis is funded in equal parts by the Swedish Energy Agency, Chalmers and the member companies. Additional funding for projects comes from national and international sources, such as the EU, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and industries.