The Role of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in Iran’s Petrochemical Industry: Insights from Japan 🇯🇵 and Canada 🇨🇦

Introduction

Over the past decades, the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the Earth's atmosphere has become one of the leading causes of global warming and climate disruption. Fossil-fuel-based sectors—particularly oil, gas, and petrochemicals—are both key drivers of economic growth and major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the most promising strategies to reduce CO₂ emissions in these high-impact industries is the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies. Instead of releasing carbon into the atmosphere, CCUS technologies enable industries to capture, reuse, or securely store CO₂ to mitigate environmental damage.


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🧪 What is CCUS?

The CCUS process consists of three main steps:

1. Capture: Collecting CO₂ from industrial exhaust (flue gas) or directly from the air (Direct Air Capture – DAC)


2. Utilization: Converting CO₂ into value-added products such as synthetic fuels, construction materials, or fertilizers


3. Storage: Injecting CO₂ into geological formations like depleted oil fields for long-term storage



CCUS plays a vital role in decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors such as petrochemicals, steel, and thermal power generation.


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🇯🇵 Japan’s Approach: Innovation Meets Policy

Japan has taken bold steps toward CCUS since the 2010s. Key projects include:

Tomakomai CCS Project in Hokkaido

Microalgae-based CO₂ utilization pilot plants

Research collaborations between Kyoto University and industrial partners


These efforts reflect Japan’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with close cooperation between government, academia, and industry.


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🇨🇦 Canada’s Strategy: Leading in Subsurface Storage

Canada is a global pioneer in CCUS, with major investments and infrastructure in place. Key initiatives include:

Alberta Carbon Trunk Line

Boundary Dam CCS Project

Public–private partnerships in low-carbon oil technologies


Canada’s model shows that economic and environmental goals can align when carbon management is integrated into long-term energy strategies.


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🇮🇷 Iran’s Opportunity: Why CCUS Matters in Petrochemicals

Iran is one of the world’s top producers of methanol, urea, and other petrochemical products. However, these industries:

Consume high amounts of energy

Generate significant volumes of CO₂

Are at risk from future climate-related trade restrictions or carbon tariffs


By implementing CCUS technologies:

✅ Iran can drastically reduce emissions
✅ Reuse captured CO₂ to create value-added products
✅ Maintain its global competitiveness in petrochemicals


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 Conclusion

The success stories of Japan 🇯🇵 and Canada 🇨🇦 demonstrate that CCUS is not just a technological fix—it’s a strategic pathway toward carbon neutrality. For Iran 🇮🇷, investing in CCUS is not optional; it is essential to ensure sustainable energy production, environmental protection, and economic resilience.

Key Recommendations:

1. Establish academic partnerships with leading universities in Japan and Canada

۳. Attract investment from both the government and private sector for CCUS projects


3. Train specialized human capital to design, implement, and manage low-carbon technologies within Iran’s energy sector

Mohammad Mahdi Bazvand
Independent Researcher in Energy & Carbon Neutrality
mohamad.mahdi.bazvandmb@gmail.com