ILIMITED
A Horizon Europe project pioneering the first-ever ionic-liquid-sorbent methanol synthesis — with ICODOS building the multi-functional 3D-printed reactor at its core, targeting over 80% single-pass CO₂-to-methanol yield.
ILIMITED (first-ever Ionic LIquid sorbent Methanol synthesis In order To Enable over 80% yielD) is a Horizon Europe research and innovation project developing a new route to methanol. It combines an ionic-liquid sorbent for in-situ product removal, catalyst encapsulation, and a 3D-printed fluid-guiding reactor to push single-pass CO₂-to-methanol yield past 80% — versus roughly 60% for today's state of the art — and to enable decentralized CO₂ conversion for long-term energy storage. This is early-stage research aiming for lab-scale maturity by project end.
Key Facts
Programme
Horizon Europe
Grant agreement
No. 101192964
Budget
≈ €3.5M
Timeline
From Jan 2025 · 36 months
Coordinator
National Institute of Chemistry (Slovenia)
ICODOS role
Multi-functional 3D-printed reactor
The 3D-printed reactor at the core
ICODOS develops the multi-functional, 3D-printed lab-scale reactor used to study liquid-sorbent-enhanced methanol synthesis. The goal is to demonstrate high methanol purity, a single-pass yield above 80%, and the valorization of process waste streams. ICODOS's work spans process simulation, engineering and project management, and the additive manufacturing of the reactor itself.
Multi-functional, 3D-printed lab-scale reactor for sorbent-enhanced synthesis
Targeting >80% single-pass yield and high methanol purity
Process simulation, engineering and project management
Valorisation of process waste streams
Past the limits of conventional synthesis
01
Aims for over 80% single-pass yield, versus roughly 60% for the current state of the art
02
The 3D-printed fluid-guiding reactor is designed to circumvent thermodynamic limits and enable lower-pressure operation
03
Targets decentralized CO₂ sources like biogas and wastewater treatment plants — turning them into future biorefineries
A European research collaboration
ILIMITED unites seven partners across seven countries, with the Swiss partner participating via Swiss SERI funding.
- National Institute of Chemistry
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Global Omnium
- ICODOS
- RINA Consulting
- University of Aveiro
- EPFL
Funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement No. 101192964); the Swiss partner is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.