Plastic pollution is one of the key environmental topics of our day and finding ways to make the sector more sustainable, but also address other green concerns such as slashing emissions, remains an uphill battle.
Ocean plastic waste. Credit: solarseven / Shutterstock
Around 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enter the Earth's oceans every year, and both the public and private sector are looking into multiple ways to deal with it. Image credit: solarseven / Shutterstock
Analyst firm IdTechEx has looked to analyse a novel concept: what if captured carbon dioxide could be converted into plastic? This would kill two birds with one stone. While this type of technology currently exists but is still in its relative infancy, pull is coming from some key players.
In its latest report on carbon capture technology, the company suggests there are three major ways in which you could convert CO2 into polymers: electrochemical reactions, biological conversion and thermocatalysts. The latter is likely the "most mature" option, where carbon can be either directly captured and used or can be passively used through the creation of chemical "building blocks" derived from methanol, ethanol and the like.
These are known as linear-chain polycarbonates (LPCs) and there is currently a large market for them for use in electronics, mulch films, foams or for use in the healthcare sector. Some companies are already creating these kinds of polyols, but this still requires the use of some fossil fuels.
Companies such as Econic, Covestro, and Aramco Performance Materials use this very method to turn captured carbon into plastic.
Electrochemical processes or "microbial synthesis" - multiple targeted reactions within a cell - can also be used to create carbon-based polymers, although both are considered burgeoning technologies within the sector. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into chemicals is in a relatively early stage of development, although reactions using biological pathways have seen some progress.
However, advances in genetic engineering in recent years have allowed microorganisms to convert carbon dioxide into chemicals, fuels and even proteins.
According to the firm, biological conversion tends to also be cheaper and less energy-intensive due to them "[using] conditions approaching ambient temperature and pressure".
California-based startup Newlight reportedly uses similar methods to turn captured carbon, air and methane into a polymer that can be degraded using special enzymes.
The market for carbon-based polymers remains relatively small when compared to traditional plastics, which are made using petroleum.
However, companies like LanzaTech are looking to shift the perspective, having recently partnered with Danone to use captured carbon to make monoethylene glycol (MEG), a key component for making sustainable PET plastics, resin, fibres, and bottles.
Read more: Danone & LanzaTech to turn captured carbon into plastic bottles
Other initiatives are looking to set up a "carbon-to-value chain" - effectively turning captured carbon into commercial products.
IdTechEx sees these pioneering technologies as a "win-win proposition", however, it admits that not all processes will lead to significant reductions in emissions. This kind of resourceful technology will also be essential in bringing about a more circular economy.
"Scarce resources that have alternative uses must be allocated where they are most likely to generate economic value and climate change mitigation. As the world’s thirst for plastics does not seem to fade, a circular carbon economy may help maintain people’s lifestyles by fostering a petrochemical industry that sees waste CO2 as a viable feedstock", the report states.
To put all of this into perspective, if the chemical make-up of the plastic can be controlled, it stands to reason the firm creating the polymers could be made biodegradable or easier to recycle, which could stand to reduce emissions.
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