The Energy Processes and Emission Reduction (PrEM) group is part of the Department of Energy and Environment of the Institute of Carbon Science and Technology (INCAR-CSIC). The current research focus is on biomass (biomass wastes) with a two-fold approach: valorisation for energy purposes and transformation into high added-value materials/products.

The current energy-transition scenario prompts the development and improvement of technologies for efficient energy generation, waste recovery, and minimisation of the environmental impact. Likewise, from a circular economy perspective, it is necessary to explore new pathways in the valorisation of by-products and wastes from industrial processes. All the above mentioned has redirected the group´s research topics towards materials and processes that are benign to the environment and, in turn, market competitive.

Throughout its history, the group has consolidated track record research in the energy theme, focusing on the co-utilisation of coal and biomass, as an alternative for more sustainable use of coal, and biomass for the generation of renewable hydrogen and value-added materials. The research group has developed technologies associated with the reduction of emissions of SO₂, NOx, and, more recently, CO₂, where a very active line of work is maintained in the field of CO₂ capture through adsorption processes.

Besides, it is worth mentioning the strong background in the synthesis and characterisation of carbon materials with applications in the energy and environmental sectors. The systematic studies carried out on a wide variety of carbon materials have made it possible to determine the parameters that optimise their performance in each application.