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Within the Horizon Europe-funded ēQATOR project, MCI plays a central role in advancing resistive heating technologies through the development of electrically conductive ceramic materials and reactor systems. By combining material innovation, precise control technologies, and renewable energy integration, MCI contributes decisively to the project’s mission: achieving cost-competitive, renewable methanol production with near-zero CO₂ emissions.
Learn more about MCI's contribution to the ēQATOR project by reading the interview below, in which Philipp Pichler explains the role of the organization within the project and the vision and goals that shape the development of ēQATOR reactor technologies.
Interview
Please introduce yourself and your role in the project.
My name is Philipp, and I am a researcher at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® in Innsbruck. Together with my colleagues, I am part of the Horizon Europe-funded ēQATOR initiative. My work focuses on the development of advanced materials and reactor technologies for resistive heating, with the objective of enabling low-carbon chemical processes.
How did you learn about the project and become a partner?
Our research team has been actively involved in the CHEMampere initiative at the University of Stuttgart, which targets the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the chemical industry. Through this network, we were approached by the ēQATOR consortium to contribute our expertise in resistive heating technologies for chemical reactors. The consortium recognized the potential of electrically conductive ceramics as a key enabler for a CO₂-neutral chemical industry, which led to our integration as a partner in the project.
What is your organisation's role in the project, and what expertise do you bring to the table?
At MCI, our main contribution lies in the design and development of innovative materials and reactor technologies for resistive heating. We specialize in electrically conductive ceramics that can be directly heated and act as carrier materials for catalytically active components. Furthermore, we develop reactor layouts, electrical contact systems, and control and regulation strategies to achieve precise temperature management. Our work also includes reactor modeling and process simulation based on experimentally determined kinetic data.
How is your organisation collaborating with other partners in the project?
We work closely with partners such as Keramik Innovation Berthold (KIB) to develop ceramic honeycomb structures for resistive heating. Our collaborations extend to the design and testing of reactor systems, sharing experimental data, and integrating our materials and technologies into the broader project framework. This collaborative approach ensures that the innovations developed at MCI align with the overall goals of the ēQATOR project.
How do your project activities contribute to the goal of the project to achieve a cost-competitive renewable methanol production with near zero CO2 emissions?
Our activities directly support the project's goal by enabling the development of compact, electrically heated reactors that utilize renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels. The use of electrically conductive ceramics allows for precise and efficient heating, reducing reactor size by up to 90% and catalyst volume by 50–75%. This results in significant energy savings and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 60–80% compared to conventional processes. By integrating renewable energy, we contribute to a sustainable and cost-competitive methanol production process.
Regarding your tasks, what do you expect are or will be the greatest challenges during the project?
One of the biggest challenges is implementing a completely new reactor concept with innovative, non-standardized materials in a long-term demonstration. Ensuring that the new reactor meets the same safety standards as established systems is critical. Additionally, integrating the newly developed materials with existing infrastructure, such as inlet and outlet connections, poses technical challenges. However, with the expertise of our partners, we are confident in overcoming these obstacles.
If you had one wish regarding the project, what would it be?
I would like to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the strengths and limitations of this technology to further refine and optimize it. My vision is for this innovative reactor concept to become a foundation for the next generation of catalytic processes in syngas and hydrogen production, driving even deeper reductions in CO₂ emissions across the chemical industry.