Yeast and electricity convert carbon dioxide into plastic chemical
Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in collaboration with BOKU University in Vienna demonstrated a process to turn CO2 into itaconic acid.
New method uses emissions as fuel
The team combined electrochemical and microbial processes to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide. Falk Harnisch from the UFZ explained that this approach replaces sugar with CO2 as a starting material for production. This shift allows emissions to be put to productive use instead of remaining in the atmosphere.
Targeted chemical makes biodegradable plastics
The resulting itaconic acid serves as a bio-based organic acid for manufacturing biodegradable plastics and textiles. Worldwide production currently stands at around 70,000 tonnes annually according to the researchers. The new technique offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemicals by utilizing different microorganisms.
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