Who we are

The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) unites companies in a shared mission: to defossilise the chemicals and materials industry by shifting from fossil carbon to renewable carbon sources – biomass, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) and recycling.

Renewable carbon, as defined by the RCI, includes all carbon sources that avoid or replace the use of additional fossil carbon from the geosphere. The initiative addresses climate change by encouraging companies to phase out fossil resources and use renewable carbon instead, promoting a carbon neutral circular economy.

RCI’s vision is to fully replace fossil carbon with renewable carbon from alternative sources by 2050, making chemicals and plastics sustainable, climate-friendly and part of the circular economy.

Download leaflet
“It is clear what needs to be done, the technologies exist and many companies are willing to invest in renewable solutions. What is missing now are smart policies to build the bridge between now and 2050 for companies to remain competitive in the sustainability transformation.” (2023)
Michael Carus nova-Institut
“Industry has to go beyond using renewable energy. All fossil carbon use has to end, as the carbon contained in the molecules of chemicals and plastics is prone to end up in the atmosphere sooner or later. Only a full phase-out of fossil carbon will help to prevent a further increase in CO2 concentrations.” (2020)
Michael Carus nova-Institut
“At Covestro, we are convinced that through partnerships and initiatives like the RCI, we can accelerate the transition towards a GHG neutral chemical industry and achieve the switch to a fossil-free raw material base for our operations.” (2020)
Christoph Gürtler Covestro
“Henkel strongly supports the transition from fossil to renewable carbon and progress towards a circular economy. This will help to protect the planet and to achieve our corporate net-zero target. RCI is a great enabler by providing scientific studies and connecting relevant stakeholders to drive this change.“ (2025)
Arndt Scheidgen (HCB) & Adrian Brandt (HAT)Henkel
“As one of the greenest and most innovative sugar beet processors, Cosun Beet Company is very enthusiastic about the Renewable Carbon Initiative, and a firm believer of working together towards a fossil free world.” (2020)
Marilia FoukarakiCosun Beet Company
“Instead of burning, burying or venting waste carbon it should be transformed into new molecules and products turning a cost and environmental liability into an asset. In the EU, with its limited fossil resources, competitiveness and strategic autonomy are strengthened by innovating through biotechnology to produce sustainable products and fuels from recycled carbon.” (2025)
Freya Burton LanzaTech
“Renewable carbon from sustainable sources will accelerate the transformation of the chemical industry and offer brand owners and material producers exciting new opportunities for improving their environmental performance.” (2020)
Dominik MüllerUPM
“Renewable Carbon is the key to sustainable chemistry.  By establishing it as a strategic foundation of our business, we can succeed in reducing our own environmental impact and, more importantly, that of our customers too.” (2020)
Mi YanStahl
“Lenzing supports the Renewable Carbon Initiative as it is on the one hand just the right thing to do and on the other fully in line with our corporate strategy – it will be an important nucleus for greening the textile and nonwovens value chains support.” (2020)
Jo-Ann Innerlohinger &  Dominic KöfnerLenzing
Beiersdorf - Logo
“At Beiersdorf we intend to live up to our responsibility as a global company and make a significant contribution towards limiting global warming.” (2020)
 
Manuela Köhler & Dorle BahrBeiersdorf

Members of the Initiative

Get to know the members of the Renewable Carbon Initiative. Together, they shape the way RCI supports and speeds up the transition from fossil carbon to renewable carbon for all organic chemicals and materials.

Brands

Large Suppliers

SME

Research Institutes

Start-Ups

Scroll to Top