At the Barrancabermeja Refinery, one of Colombia’s main industrial plants, Ecopetrol has developed a technology that reuses CO2 generated in its processes in inputs used daily by millions of people.
The strategic path that reuses CO2
Since 2004, the refinery has been implementing systems to capture CO₂ from hydrogen production. hydrogen productiona key component in improving fuel quality. This gas, which would normally be released into the atmosphere, is now processed for other purposes.
During the last year, more than 29 thousand tons of CO₂ have been captured and purified by an international company located in Barrancabermeja. This company distributes the treated gas to industries that use it in the production of carbonated beverages, food refrigeration and dry ice manufacturing.
This recovered CO₂ makes it possible to produce soft drinks, beer and sodas, maintain the cold chain for transporting perishable products and meet specific needs of the pharmaceutical sector. This process contributes to diversifying the use of carbon in productive sectors without increasing the environmental footprint.
The circular economy approach avoids the direct emission of greenhouse gases, strengthens the country’s energy efficiency and reflects Ecopetrol’s commitment to a responsible industrial transition. In addition to reducing pollution, this model generates added value from waste previously considered disposable.
The initiative demonstrates how the energy industry can implement technologies that respond to the challenges of climate change. Ecopetrol is moving towards cleaner operations while promoting the development of sustainable industrial solutions with high social and environmental impact.
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Source and photo: Ecopetrol