Waste Carbon to Renewable Chemicals for a Circular Economy

Capturing waste carbon to make chemical building blocks for everyday items is part of a circular economy. In a 3-minute introduction to this topic, Elizabeth Nesbitt describes how fermentation and electrolysis are making this happen now. For middle school and higher; also useful for potential investors.

Emerging carbon capture utilization (CCU) technologies potentially allow chemical companies and other manufacturers to capture waste carbon—in the form of carbon monoxide (CO) and/or carbon dioxide (CO2)—from industrial emissions and process it into sustainable, value-added biofuels and chemicals.

Using CCU technologies to consume waste feedstocks can cut production costs; benefit the environment; monetize industrial emissions; and, depending on the region, allow companies to meet CO2 emissions goals. Moreover, using waste carbon to make chemicals can also reduce manufacturers’ reliance on fossil fuels such as crude petroleum and natural gas, an important factor, particularly for the European Union and China, given the volatility in sourcing and pricing of fossil fuels, especially those that are imported.