Chemistry and energy beyond fossil fuels. A perspective view on the role of syngas from waste sources

After briefly introducing the future scenario for energy and chemical production to remark the need to develop new catalytic routes to use C-sources alternative to fossil resources, this perspective paper discusses two key technologies in this direction to move beyond fossil fuels: i) waste-to-chemical, with a discussion of the techno-economic aspects to convert municipal solid wastes to base chemicals (urea, methanol, olefins), and ii) power-to-X, with focus on CO2 methanation. Attention is on the role of syngas in the future scenario, evidencing some of the open questions for catalysis on these technologies. For CO2 methanation, it is highlighted that the crucial aspects of catalysts development are often not properly addressed, in spite of the abundant literature.