ExxonMobil plans to build a pilot plant at the Botlek site in Rotterdam, using carbonate fuel cell technology. These fuel cells have the ability to capture CO₂ emissions from industrial sources before they are released into the atmosphere, while also making valuable by-products

The technology produces low carbon power, heat, and hydrogen as by-products. The CO₂ captured will be transported through Porthos and stored in depleted gas fields under the seabed of the North Sea.

The pilot plant aims to collect data on performance and usability of the carbonate fuel cell (CFC) technology, that was jointly developed with FuelCell Energy. The technology is modular, making it potentially ready for broadscale implementation.

This is the first time that carbonate fuel cell technology is being tested for CO₂ capture in an industrial environment. This pilot aims to address possible technical issues that may occur in a commercial environment and better understand the costs of installing and operating a CFC plant for CO₂ capture.