BECCS & BECCUS workshop brings together international experts to explore net-negative emission technologies
On 12 May 2026, the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, in collaboration with IEA Bioenergy Task 33, hosted the BECCS & BECCUS for Net-Negative Emission Technologies Workshop at the University of Glasgow. The event brought together academic researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and international stakeholders to discuss the role of bioenergy with carbon capture, utilisation and storage (BECCS and BECCUS) in supporting the transition to net-negative emissions. Special thanks to Akshay Bagde and Manosh Paul from the University of Glasgow for leading on the organisation of the event.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from Manosh Paul, Scott Banks, and Mirjam Roeder, who introduced the strategic aims of the Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub and highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers in advancing sustainable bioenergy systems. Presentations from Akshay Bagde and Fabian Ejim showcased ongoing work within the Supergen hydrogen-BECCUS and gasification projects, including developments in hydrogen production pathways, gasification process optimisation, catalyst development and carbon capture integration.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Chris Manson-Whitton, CEO of Progressive Energy, who discussed the practical deployment of BECCS within UK industrial decarbonisation clusters, including the HyNet project. The presentation explored the role of large-scale CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, policy support mechanisms, and the integration of waste-to-energy and cement sectors into carbon capture networks.
The BECCS & BECCUS Technology Pathways session featured contributions from international experts and industry representatives working on gasification, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and biochar technologies. Joakim Lundgren discussed opportunities for biomass gasification and the flexibility of thermochemical conversion technologies for producing fuels, chemicals, heat, and hydrogen. Paul Willacy presented developments in modular gasification systems and decentralised syngas production, while Sanjeev Gajjela outlined current and emerging SAF production pathways and the associated commercial and technical challenges. Jitka Hrbek explored the role of biochar in long-term carbon sequestration and industrial applications.
The afternoon sessions focused on technology deployment and international developments in green fuel production. Julien Uhlig presented on decentralised waste gasification and BECCUS applications, whileLi Jian shared developments in biomass gasification and green fuel projects in China, including green methanol and SAF pathways. Berend Vreugdenhil discussed gasification technologies and green gas developments in the Netherlands, including syngas upgrading and negative emissions opportunities.
A dedicated session on policy, regulation, and sustainability examined the governance and environmental dimensions of BECCS deployment. John Kelly discussed policy frameworks and commercialisation pathways for carbon removal technologies, while Michael Goldsworthy presented on greenhouse gas accounting methodologies and sustainability standards for BECCS systems.Rob Holland highlighted broader sustainability considerations associated with biomass supply chains, land use, biodiversity, and natural capital impacts in pathways to net zero.
The workshop concluded with interactive roundtable discussions on research priorities, deployment challenges, and workforce development for BECCS and BECCUS technologies. Participants highlighted the importance of feedstock characterisation, process optimisation, demonstration-scale deployment, lifecycle assessment, policy alignment, and stronger academia–industry collaboration. Discussions also emphasised the need for interdisciplinary skills development, industrial placements, and training programmes to support the future workforce required for a net-negative bioenergy transition.
The event demonstrated the growing international momentum behind BECCS and BECCUS technologies and reinforced the importance of collaborative research, industrial engagement, and policy support in enabling scalable net-negative emission solutions.
The organisers would like to thank all speakers, participants, and partners for contributing to a highly engaging and productive workshop.
| Sessions and slides |
Welcome & Workshop Framing (Manosh Paul & Scott Banks)
Q&A (5 mins) |
| Keynote
Making BECCS a reality in the UK, Chris Manson-Whitton, Progressive Energy Ltd) |
| BECCS and BECCUS technology pathways
1. IEA Bioenergy Task 33 BECCUS-opportunities for biomass gasification – Joakim Lundgren, T33 Co-chair 2. Industry – Paul Willacy, Compact Syngas Solutions Ltd 3. SAF technology pathways and market readiness: Opportunities, challenges and PySAF’s strategy – Sanjeev Gajjela, PySaf 4. Biochar in climate action: Pyrolysis and gasification for carbon storage- Jitka Hrbek, IEA Bioenergy Task 33 Chair 5. Q&A panel/discussion |
| BECCS and BECCUS technology scale-up and deployment
1. 1. X150 Modular Gasification: BECCUS Applications of Largely Decentralised Waste- ExVentures- Julien Uhlig Online 2. Research and industrialisation progress of biomass gasification to green fuels in China – IEA Bioenergy Task 33, Li Jian, Tianjin University, China (online) 3. Green gas with CCS – IEA Bioenergy Task 33 Berend Vreugdenhil, TNO, Netherlands 4. Q&A panel/discussion |
| Policy, regulation and sustainability of BECCS and BECCUS
1. From carbon removal to commercial reality: Policy and sustainability of BECCS and BECCUS in the UK and beyond – John Kelly, Ricardo 2. Standards/methodologies/sustainability requirements for BECCS – Michael Goldsworthy, Drax 3. Biomass sustainability and land-use – Robert Holland, University of Southampton 4. Q&A panel/discussion |
| Research priorities, challenges and workforce development
Roundtable discussion Session 1: High‑Impact Research Priorities for BECCS/BECCUS technology (What are the current challenges in the development of BECCS/BECCUS‑based net‑negative emissions technologies, and how can academic research best align with and address these challenges?) Session 2: Deployment and Scale‑Up of BECCS/BECCUS technology (What are the key barriers to the deployment of BECCS/BECCUS technologies, and how can industry–academia partnerships more effectively address these barriers and support scale‑up pathways towards deployment?) Session 3: Workforce Development and Skills for a Net‑Negative Bioenergy Transition (What skills and competencies are currently lacking in the BECCS/BECCUS sector, and how can we best support the delivery of relevant training and capacity building (e.g. joint PhDs with industry, industrial placements, and CPD programmes)?) |
