Combining insights from two literatures (innovation studies and organisation theory), this project will analyse both the resistance to change in the steel, oil refining, and chemical industries, and the process of low-carbon reorientation, which is conceptualised as a gradual process that proceeds through several phases: a) defensive hedging and incremental improvements in existing technology (e.g. energy efficiency), b) diversification and utilisation of best available technology (e.g. CHP, heat recovery), c) full reorientation towards disruptive innovations (e.g. CCUS, fuel switching to biomass or hydrogen). Analysing industry journals, policy documents, expert interviews and secondary sources (e.g. academic publications, consultancy reports), this project will investigate the barriers and drivers of low-carbon reorientation in each industry, what reorientation phase each industries is, and what explains differences and similarities.

Research will focus on:

• Petrochemicals
• Steel industry
• Oil refining