Charting the Course: Navigating Decarbonisation Pathways in Greece, Germany, The Netherlands, and Spain’s Industrial Sectors

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It is a pleasure to read this article, which provides an excellent report on the decarbonization strategies and challenges faced by Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) in four European countries.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the decarbonization pathways for Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) in Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. ​ It highlights the importance of decarbonization strategies and the challenges faced by these industries in achieving climate goals. ​

One strength of the article is its detailed analysis of key sectors, including non-ferrous metals, cement, chemicals, ceramics, glass, and steel. It provides insights into the current environmental impact of these sectors and explores potential mitigation strategies through innovative technologies. The discussion is enriched by the inclusion of specific technological innovations and the challenges associated with their widespread adoption.

The article also stresses the need for political commitment and support to ensure a smooth transition towards decarbonization. ​ It highlights the risks associated with continued investment in high-emission technologies and the potential economic consequences of failing to adopt climate-neutral technologies. ​ This discussion adds a practical perspective to the analysis and underscores the urgency for decisive action.

However, one limitation of the article is the lack of specific data and quantitative analysis. While it mentions emission reductions in certain sectors and the energy consumption share in different countries, it does not provide detailed statistics or projections. Incorporating more data and quantitative analysis would strengthen the arguments and provide a clearer picture of the current state and future prospects of decarbonization in EIIs.

Additionally, the article could benefit from a more in-depth discussion of the economic and regulatory frameworks necessary to support the transition. While it acknowledges the importance of predictable economic and regulatory landscapes, it does not delve into specific policy recommendations or potential barriers to implementation. A more detailed exploration of these aspects would enhance the practicality of the analysis.

Overall, the article provides a valuable overview of decarbonization pathways for EIIs in the selected countries. It highlights the importance of technological innovations, political commitment, and supportive frameworks. However, the lack of specific data and quantitative analysis, as well as a more detailed discussion of economic and regulatory aspects, are areas that could be further developed to strengthen the article's arguments.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate editing of English language is required.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1. Thank you for your thorough and insightful review of our manuscript. We greatly appreciate your positive feedback on the comprehensive overview and detailed analysis provided in our study. We acknowledge your point regarding the lack of specific data and quantitative analysis. However, the primary focus of our manuscript was to reflect the status of decarbonization innovations across multiple sectors and to present insights from consultations with industry representatives, stakeholders, and technology providers. Our aim is to provide a qualitative reflection on the current state and future prospects of decarbonization efforts, rather than to conduct a detailed statistical analysis. We believe that this approach offers valuable perspectives on the practical challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonization in Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs). Nonetheless, we appreciate your suggestion and will consider incorporating more quantitative data in future studies to strengthen our arguments further. 

To clarify the limits on the scope of our manuscript, we have included the following paragraph:

1. Introduction

The European Union’s new Climate Law aligns closely with the Paris Agreement (PA). It incorporates the new PA Article 6 and sets an ambitious target for 2030: a reduction of CO₂ emissions by at least 55% compared to the 1990 levels [1]. Additionally, the European Climate Law commits the EU to an innovative goal: achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 [2]. Energy intensive industries (EIIs) are at the forefront in this European leading decarbonisation strategy vision [3]. Yet, no holistic decarbonisation strategy has been developed at both the EU and country level.  

EII’s ecosystem includes a wide range of sectors, i.e. non-ferrous metals, steel, aluminium, chemicals, fertilizers, cement, ceramics, lime, glass, paper and pulp. These sectors are characterized by a high energy intensity and are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced mainly due to fuel combustion, electricity production and process emissions (¡Error! No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.). Several decarbonization actions can be applied for all these sectors, such as the capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) of process emissions, use of renewable energy technologies for the electricity production instead of fossil fuels and increase of carbon neutral fuels in the fuel mix [4,5]. The zero-carbon transition of EIIs by embracing climate friendly practices will not only be beneficial for the environment, but also will ensure the individual companies’ long-term competitiveness [6]. Nevertheless, many sectors have already picked to their efforts of reducing their GHG emissions without fulfilling their targets [7]. In this regard, innovative solutions are necessary to transform the way these sectors operate. The current manuscript describes EII’s ecosystems across different sectors, focusing in four exemplary European countries, i.e. Spain, Greece, Germany and The Netherlands. Specific technological innovations are summarized, whereas challenges for the widespread utilization and potential measures are elaborated. 

For the sake of completeness, it is important to acknowledge that other sectors like the petrochemical industry also requires decarbonisation solutions, such as hydrocarbon fuel conversion. However, this review focuses specifically on decarbonisation options for energy-intensive sectors like non-ferrous metals, cement and lime, chemicals and fertilisers, ceramics, glass and steel. The petrochemical sector, while significant, falls outside the scope of this manuscript. For instance, a recent study explores innovative methods for hydrogen production, which could be relevant for decarbonising the petrochemical industry [8].

While this manuscript does not delve into detailed statistical analysis or projections, it aims to reflect the status of decarbonization innovations within multiple sectors. The insights presented are based on consultations with industry representatives, stakeholders, and technology providers, offering a qualitative perspective on the current state and future prospects of decarbonization efforts in Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs).

Additionally, the article could benefit from a more in-depth discussion of the economic and regulatory frameworks necessary to support the transition. While it acknowledges the importance of predictable economic and regulatory landscapes, it does not delve into specific policy recommendations or potential barriers to implementation. A more detailed exploration of these aspects would enhance the practicality of the analysis.

As per the reviewer’s request, we have included two more brief subsections that expand the discussion on the economic and regulatory frameworks necessary to support the transition for energy intensive industries. These news sections are partially based on consultations conducted during the RE4Industry project, properly acknowledge in the manuscript as the source of funding of the present manuscript.

6.1 Financing and Investments

One of the main obstacles to the energy transition is the financing associated with the establishment and development of renewable projects. To achieve the EU’s objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050, substantial investments are required from both the public and private sectors. The European Commission predicts that thr European economy needs to double its level of climate investments to deliver the EU 2030 targets [9].

Various tools have been developed to support sustainable investments, including the European Green

Deal Investment Plan, which aims to raise at least €1 trillion over the next decade [10]. The Just Transition Mechanism offers tailored financial and practical assistance to regions and industries significantly impacted by the transition [11]. This mechanism includes the Just Transition Fund, a dedicated transition scheme under InvestEU, and loans facilitated by the European Investment Bank. Additionally, the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe provide substantial funding for low-carbon technologies and broader research initiatives [12]. Despite these opportunities, the complexity and diversity of funding mechanisms can be challenging, particularly for smaller entities. Simplifying administrative procedures for obtaining European funding would encourage the uptake of renewables and facilitate the industrial transition. Moreover, attracting private funding requires minimizing investment risks, which is heavily dependent on maintaining a stable and predictable regulatory framework.

6.2 Barriers to Overcome and Possible Solutions

Several barriers hinder the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. Legislative misalignment often results in ineffective policies due to a disconnect between industrial needs and political legislation. Collaborative frameworks involving industrial stakeholders are essential to develop suitable regulations that support carbon neutrality without compromising global competitiveness [13]. Continued subsidies for fossil fuels divert funds from renewable energy development, so redirecting these subsidies towards renewables would accelerate the transition [14]. The financial burden of adopting zero-carbon technologies can be prohibitive, necessitating robust financing schemes to support industries in this transition. Additionally, industries fear losing competitiveness to regions with less stringent decarbonisation targets, making it crucial to ensure the availability of renewable fuels and facilitate access to biomass feedstock [15]. Technological and logistical challenges, such as storing green electricity and managing biomass logistics, present significant hurdles that require innovative solutions like advanced battery technologies [16]. Lastly, the absence of a level playing field and insufficient incentives can deter industries from adopting renewable technologies. Designing products for recyclability from the outset can help recover valuable materials and reduce consumption, further supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Overall, the article provides a valuable overview of decarbonization pathways for EIIs in the selected countries. It highlights the importance of technological innovations, political commitment, and supportive frameworks. However, the lack of specific data and quantitative analysis, as well as a more detailed discussion of economic and regulatory aspects, are areas that could be further developed to strengthen the article's arguments.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate editing of English language is required.

We have carefully reviewed the manuscript and made necessary improvements to enhance the clarity and quality of the English language.

             

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The study presents insights and pathways of decarbonisation of some EU countries. While this is not a new concept, the results presented herein would be invaluable for policy makers and researchers working on heavy industry decarbonisation. However, the manuscript lacks critical analysis and comprehensive comparison of each decarbonisation efforts across countries and industries. Most of the concept presented are well known and readily available in literature. Find some suggestions for improvement below:

Authors should clearly define and identify the EII's also it would be beneficial for readers if information on the carbon emissions from all the EIIs within the countries analyzed is available.

Figure 1 presents an overview of the energy consumption in the entire europe, authors should identify the contributions from the countries who are the focus of the study.

Authors should include methodology section. This section would describe the literature search database, exclusion and inclusion criteria, key words and duration of focus.

Justification for country selection should be stated in the introduction.

Section 3  should be supported by literature with relevant studies on several decarbonisation efforts.

A section briefly explaining the emission sources of different industries should be included.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Needs minor improvement

Author Response

Unfortunately, the comment of the reviewer cannot easily understand. We feel it requires additional context to be fully comprehensible. However, from the interpretation that we make from the comment, the reviewer is suggesting that we include information on carbon emissions from all energy intensive industries in the four countries analysed. The requested information is already included in the manuscript as Figure 2. In that figure, we have shown disaggregated industrial energy consumption (A-D) and EUETS CO2 emissions (E-H) of Greece (dark blue and light blue bars), Spain (dark red and orange bars), the Netherlands (dark green and light green bars) and Germany (black and grey bars) in 2021.

(Please have a look at the PDF version to be able to see graphs.)

 

 

 

  

Figure 1 presents an overview of the energy consumption in the entire europe, authors should identify the contributions from the countries who are the focus of the study.

The identification of Energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Europe is shown in Figure 1 in the first submission of the manuscript. Figure 1 shows A) Total energy consumption in the EU (black) and by its EIIs (red); B) Total CO2 emissions in the EU (black) and by its EIIs (red); C) Disaggregated energy consumption by EIIs in Greece (blue), Spain (red), the Netherlands (green) and Germany (black); and D) Disaggregated CO2 emissions by EIIs in Greece (blue), Spain (red), the Netherlands (green) and Germany (black):

 

Authors should include methodology section. This section would describe the literature search database, exclusion and inclusion criteria, key words and duration of focus.

We thank the reviewer for this suggestion. While preparing the present manuscript, the inclusion of a Methodology section was not considered. However, we now see the value in incorporating one as follows:

 

 

2. Methodology

2.1 Overall literature analysis approach

This review was prepared as part of a European project aimed at providing an overall understanding of the main energy-intensive industries (EIIs) sectors in Europe, including non-ferrous metals, steel, cement, non-metallic minerals, ceramic and glass, and chemical & petrochemical industries. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple academic databases, focusing on peerreviewed articles mainly published between 2010 and 2022. The inclusion criteria were studies that specifically addressed decarbonisation strategies for energy-intensive industries within the European context, as well as those focusing on the selected countries: Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece. Exclusion criteria involved omitting articles that did not provide empirical data or detailed analysis of decarbonisation options.

This review aimed to synthesize findings from those studies to provide a comprehensive overview of current and emerging decarbonisation strategies, highlighting regional differences and commonalities. Individual reports for each sector were produced, following a common structure that included the status of the sector in the EU, an overview of technology processes employed, potential alternatives for cleaner processes, well-established practices for renewable energy integration and CO₂ emission reduction, additional measures for transitioning to a decarbonized, circular economy model, and opportunities and barriers for decarbonisation. Feedback for drafting the individual sector reports was collected from expert consultations, direct visits to national organizations, and a literature survey. This methodological approach ensured a focused and relevant selection of literature, providing a robust foundation for the review’s conclusions.

             

Justification for country selection should be stated in the introduction.

The following justification has been added rather in the new Methodology section:

2.2 Country selection

The selection of Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, and Germany for this review is based on their diverse and representative profiles within the European context of energy-intensive industries (EIIs). These countries were chosen to provide a comprehensive overview of the decarbonisation challenges and opportunities across different regions and industrial landscapes in Europe. Spain is a significant player in the European EIIs sector, particularly in the steel, cement, and ceramics industries. Its geographical location and climatic conditions also present unique challenges and opportunities for renewable energy integration and decarbonisation efforts. Greece represents the Southern European region, with a strong presence in the cement and non-metallic minerals sectors. The country’s economic structure and recent efforts towards energy transition make it a valuable case study for understanding the barriers and drivers of decarbonisation in similar economies. The Netherlands is a key hub for the chemical and petrochemical industries in Europe. Its advanced technological infrastructure and proactive policies towards sustainability provide insights into the potential for innovation and the implementation of cleaner processes in EIIs. Germany is one of the largest industrial economies in Europe, with a significant presence in the steel, chemical, and non-ferrous metals sectors. Germany’s leadership in renewable energy adoption and its ambitious climate goals make it a critical case for examining the intersection of industrial activity and decarbonisation strategies. By focusing on these four countries, the review captures a broad spectrum of industrial activities, regulatory environments, and regional characteristics. This selection ensures that the findings and recommendations are relevant and applicable to a wide range of contexts within the European Union, thereby providing a robust foundation for understanding the status and future pathways for decarbonising energy-intensive industries in Europe.

             

Section 3 should be supported by literature with relevant studies on several decarbonisation efforts.

After carefully considering the above comment by the reviewer, we respectfully disagree with it. We believe that we have included a substantial number of relevant references that cover a wide range of decarbonisation efforts across different industries. Our references include a mix of journal articles, reports from the European Commission, and publications from the International Energy Agency (IEA). We consider that this diversity is appropriate as it shows a broad range of perspectives and authoritative sources:

Relevance to decarbonisation: many of our references are directly related to decarbonisation efforts.	Electrification     and     Renewable      Energy: References like [17] and [18] discuss the potential and challenges of electrification and hydrogen demand in energy-intensive industries. Carbon Capture and Utilisation: [19] and [7] provide insights into CO2 capture technologies and their applications in industrial processes. Alternative fuels and biomass: [20] and [21] discuss the use of biomass and synthetic fuels as alternatives to fossil fuels.
Industry-specific studies: we have included references that focus on specific industries.	Cement and Lime: [22] and [23] provide information on decarbonisation options for the cement industry. Steel: References like [24] and the IEA reports discuss decarbonisation pathways for the steel industry. Chemical: The IEA reports and studies like [25] cover decarbonisation strategies for the chemical sector.
Emerging technologies: we consider that our references also cover emerging technologies and innovative approaches.	Hydrogen production: cited IEA reports on the future of hydrogen and studies like [25] discuss hydrogen-to-X energy systems. Carbon Capture and Storage: References like [19] and the IEA reports provide insights into CCS technologies.

 

             

However, for the sake of completeness, we have included a new paragraph that adds additional information and recent references:

4. Decarbonization actions across different sectors

Several decarbonisation actions can be applied across different sectors in order to achieve a clean energy transition [26]. In a broader context, these could be divided into specific actions implemented across the whole industry.

Electrification refers to the transition of heat generation processes in EIIs to operate exclusively on green electricity [27]. As the power supply increasingly relies on renewable energy sources and becomes greenhouse gas-neutral, substantial emissions reductions can be achieved on a large scale.

The use of bio or synthetic fuels, which primarily consists of replacing fossil fuels, for example with biomass or greenhouse gas-neutral synthetic gases [28]. It should be noted that even if the use of biomass or bioenergy is generally a comparatively inexpensive and very effective option, the availability of biomass is limited. Biomass is also seen as a solution in other areas (e.g., residential heating, shipping and aviation) to achieve climate neutrality. This raises the question as how to deal with scarcity and finite resources [20,21].

The use of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) or Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) consists of separating CO₂ from the exhaust gases of certain plants or from the air and then supplying it as a feedstock to other processes, or alternatively to store it. CCU and CCS could become essential in some sectors, where there is a high percentage of unavoidable process-related emissions (e.g. lime, cement) [19].

The use of hydrogen also plays an important role, as a clean energy source [18]. The aim in the close future is to produce hydrogen in a greenhouse gas-neutral manner, for example through water electrolysis based on electricity from renewable sources. This renewable concept corresponds to Power to X (PtX) technologies, a key future of the energy transition [29]. 

Hydrogen production, although crucial for various applications, still predominantly relies on natural gas, resulting in associated CO₂ emissions. However, research is actively being conducted to find alternative approaches to improve its efficiency, such as enhancing recycling processes. This becomes particularly significant in energy and resource-intensive sectors like the steel industry.

In addition to the strategies mentioned, recent research highlights several innovative approaches to decarbonising energy-intensive industries. The synergy of carbon capture, waste heat recovery, and hydrogen production presents a promising pathway for industrial decarbonisation. The integration of Calcium Looping (CaL) for CO2 capture and methane dry reforming (MDR) for hydrogen production can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of industrial processes [30]. In the European context, the deployment of hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. However, this transition faces several challenges, including technological barriers and potential inequitable impacts on communities [31]. The iron and steel industry, with its high electricity consumption, offers substantial potential for demand response strategies. The adoption of hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron and electric arc furnace technology (H2-DRI-EAF) can significantly reduce electricity costs and enhance flexibility in energy use [32]. Finally, the cement and concrete industry must adopt a multifaceted approach to decarbonisation, incorporating alternative clinker technologies, carbon capture and storage, and improved energy efficiency. Policy interventions, collaboration, and the adoption of circular economy principles are essential to overcome the challenges and achieve sustainable development [33].

             

A section briefly explaining the emission sources of different industries should be included.

Following the Reviewer’s advice, we have now included the following paragraph that explain source emissions at the industry:

3. Status of EIIs in four representative European economies

Industrial emissions are roughly divided between fuel combustion for process heat (52 percent) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) released during chemical reactions in feedstock processing (48 percent), such as natural gas processing for ammonia production or iron ore preparation for steelmaking [34]. Process emissions also include fugitive GHG emissions, such as methane leakage from natural gas pipelines. The industrial sector can be categorized based on production techniques and the types of GHGs emitted. Heavy industry, which accounts for 46 percent of industrial emissions, includes segments like nonmetallic minerals, metals, and base chemicals. These segments produce basic products such as cement, glass, steel, and plastics, requiring high temperatures. For instance, blast furnaces for steelmaking reach 1,800°C, and kilns for limestone calcination to produce cement exceed 1,600°C. Nearly half of the emissions in these segments are CO2 process emissions, necessitating changes in feedstock and production processes to eliminate them. Oil, gas, and mining contribute 19 percent of industrial emissions, with about 25 percent from methane leakage, primarily from natural gas pipelines. Most CO2 emissions in this sector arise from the heat needed for petroleum cracking and distillation, which requires temperatures up to 400°C.

In Spain, the EIIs sector is one of the most important industrial activities [35]. EIIs account for around 60% of the total energy consumption in the country (¡Error! No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.). Amongst the different industrial sectors, the one with highest energy consumption is the one focused on goods production like chemicals (14%), iron & steel (15%), non-ferrous metals – including alloys- (13%), oil refining (8%) and paper & pulp (6%).

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Needs minor improvement.

We have carefully reviewed the manuscript and made necessary improvements to enhance the clarity and quality of the English language.

               

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this manuscript, Alessandro et al., showed a review “Charting the Course: Navigating Decarbonisation Pathways in Greece, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain’s Industrial Sectors”. The review organization, analysis, and the corresponding explanations are relatively reasonable and thorough. Therefore, this manuscript can be published in this journal after minor modification.

1.      In terms of CCUS, CO₂ reduction is an important method, which can be referred to the recent review (10.1016/j.fuel.2024.130906).

2.      For potential decarbonisation solutions, hydrocarbon fuel conversion in petrochemical industry is an important process requiring decarbonization, please summarized. Some reference such as 10.1016/j.cjche.2023.12.008 maybe cited.

3.      In order to better understand this review, a beautiful thought map and prospect map need to be provided to attract more readers.

Author Response

1. In terms of CCUS, CO2 reduction is an important method, which can be referred to the recent review (10.1016/j.fuel.2024.130906).

The reference has been included as per the reviewer’s request as follows:

The use of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) or Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) consists of separating CO₂ from the exhaust gases of certain plants or from the air and then supplying it as a feedstock to other processes, or alternatively to store it. CCU and CCS could become essential in some sectors, where there is a high percentage of unavoidable process-related emissions (e.g. lime, cement) [19]. The integration of advanced technologies such as photo-thermal co-catalytic reduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals can significantly enhance the potential of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) in industry decarbonisation efforts [36].

2. For potential decarbonisation solutions, hydrocarbon fuel conversion in petrochemical industry is an important process requiring decarbonization, please summarized. Some reference such as

10.1016/j.cjche.2023.12.008 maybe cited.

The reference has been included as per the reviewer’s request as follows:

The current manuscript describes EII’s ecosystems across different sectors, focusing in four exemplary European countries, i.e. Spain, Greece, Germany and The Netherlands. Specific technological innovations are summarized, whereas challenges for the wide-spread utilization and potential measures are elaborated. For the sake of completeness, it is important to acknowledge that other sectors like the petrochemical industry also requires decarbonisation solutions, such as hydrocarbon fuel conversion. However, this review focuses specifically on decarbonisation options for energy-intensive sectors like non-ferrous metals, cement and lime, chemicals and fertilisers, ceramics, glass and steel. The petrochemical sector, while significant, falls outside the scope of this manuscript. For instance, a recent study explores innovative methods for hydrogen production, which could be relevant for decarbonising the petrochemical industry [8].

While this manuscript does not delve into detailed statistical analysis or projections, it aims to reflect the status of decarbonization innovations within multiple sectors. The insights presented are based on consultations with industry representatives, stakeholders, and technology providers, offering a qualitative perspective on the current state and future prospects of decarbonization efforts in Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs).

 

3. In order to better understand this review, a beautiful thought map and prospect map need to be provided to attract more readers.

From the reviewer’s comment, we think that our graphical abstract might not have been reviewed. We believe that the graphical abstract precisely encapsulates the suggestion of the reviewer: “a map that attracts the reader’s attention.”:

(Please check PDF to be able to see the graphical abstract)

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors have addressed all concerns except the ones listed below:
It is not clear if petrochemical industries were considered in this study. A part of the manuscript mentioned energy intensive industries excluding petrochemical industries, another part discussed why the countries were selected based on their location as a petrochemical industry hub.

 

Author Response

Comment 1: It is not clear if petrochemical industries were considered in this study. A part of the manuscript mentioned energy intensive industries excluding petrochemical industries, another part discussed why the countries were selected based on their location as a petrochemical industry hub.

Response 1: We agree with the reviewer's comment. While in the Introduction we explain that the petrochemical sector falls outside of the scope of the present manuscript analysis, in the Methodology section we mention that the Petrochemical sector is one of the industries included in the analysis. The mention of the Petrochemical sector in the Metodology section is a mistake and its mention should be removed. 

Previous version with the mistake:

2.1 Overall literature analysis approach

This review was prepared as part of a European funded project RE4Industry aimed at providing an overall understanding of the main energy-intensive industries (EIIs) sectors in Europe, including non-ferrous metals, steel, cement, non-metallic minerals, ceramic and glass, and chemical & petrochemical industries.

New version without the mention to the Petrochemical sector:

2.1 Overall literature analysis approach

This review was prepared as part of a European funded project RE4Industry aimed at providing an overall understanding of the main energy-intensive industries (EIIs) sectors in Europe, including non-ferrous metals, steel, cement, non-metallic minerals, ceramic and glass, and chemical industries.

 

 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It can be Accept.

Author Response

We are grateful with the comments received by the reviewer that have helped us improve the overall quality of our manuscript.