About the author
Ana de la Cal
Over the past decade, the author of this blog has built a distinguished career in the chemical industry, excelling in various roles within the manufacturing and marketing of high-performance materials and specialty chemicals. Her academic foundation is robust, with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Economics Research, equipping her with a unique blend of technical and economic expertise.
This blog emerged in late 2021 as a direct extension of her master’s thesis research, which focused on the decarbonization roadmap for the petrochemical industry. Her economic studies (2019-2021) ignited a profound interest in the global energy transition, particularly in understanding how the industry she is a part of would adapt to this monumental challenge.
Vision
Driven by a passion for sustainability and innovation, she envisions herself as a catalyst for change by establishing a thriving community of like-minded individuals dedicated to decarbonization. Through insightful writing and sharing knowledge, she aims to bridge the gaps she's encountered and foster connections that ignite collaborative innovation. By creating synergies among diverse stakeholders, she aspires to pave the way toward achieving net zero emissions, making significant strides in addressing one of the most pressing global challenges.
Opinion
There is huge potential and a full range of opportunities in the decarbonization of industrial activities, we are experiencing exciting times defining now how the future will look like.
One of the mayor challenges I encountered during my thesis research was the limited specific literature that studies the industrial decarbonisation risks and opportunities and how the theoretical approach could be turned into action and execution. I found out that it was mainly due to the relatively recent development of the topic, the lesser attention the chemical industry receives and its own complexities. My pursue for an action driven approach made me connect the academic world with the frontrunning work of leading institutions.
Content
The blog explores the latest events, news and science-based insights related to the energy transition and advancements in the industrial decarbonisation field.
In a structural fashion, the blog showcases literature reviews that support and enrich the four transversal areas that determine how to accelerate the deployment of the decarbonisation road map according to Ana´s view, which are:
Policy
Technical options
Funding
Synergies
Books
Books have always been a cornerstone of inspiration and a fundamental component of thorough research. Since 2022, this blog has featured several reviews of works that focus on the journey toward net zero emissions and touch upon the chemical industry’s unique path ahead.
Listening to others
Since 2023, the blog has also included brief digital reviews where the author shares her takeaways. These reviews provide another meaningful platform for connection and exploration, offering readers concise and impactful insights. By sharing these digital reviews, a sneak peek into the creative process is offered.
Listening to thoughtful leaders helps individuals to become more informed, open-minded, and engaged members of society. Their influence can lead to the development of well-rounded, informed opinions that are crucial for personal growth and collective progress
Collaborations
And, most excitingly, in 2024, the author started collaborating with various institutions to amplify her catalytic vision. Through these partnerships, she has become a published co-author in a diverse range of media, further expanding the reach and impact of her work. These collaborations underscore her commitment to driving innovation and fostering connections within the broader decarbonization community.
