From Beer to Toothbrush: What CO₂ can become
Industries Will Still Need CO₂ in the Fossil-Free Age – an Overview of What It Can Be Used for
Carbon stands as an indispensable element for industry. Up to now, most of it has been sourced from fossil fuels. However, the advent of a CO₂ circular economy presents an opportunity for industries to mitigate emissions and substitute fossil sources. Here, we explore the prospective applications of captured CO₂.
From toothbrushes to car tires and diapers – carbon constitutes a fundamental component of numerous everyday products. Yet, the primary sourcing of carbon from fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas. This poses a challenge: Due to the significant CO₂ emissions generated during extraction and processing. What if these emissions could instead serve as raw materials for the sustainable production of other goods?
Innovative technologies such as Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) enable the processing of carbon dioxide to be reincorporated as raw material in various industries. The advantage: By establishing a circular economy, fewer and fewer fossil resources are being used. What was once a utopian concept now becomes reality. Carbon becomes plastic. This sustainable plastic can further serve as the foundation for products like synthetic fibers, boasting improved ecological footprints and potentially enhanced quality compared to conventional production methods.
Unveiling the Potential of CO₂
The CO₂ processed by Holcim in Lägerdorf attains such purity that it meets food-grade standards. Instead of ending up in the atmosphere, it could also be employed in beverage carbonation, enriching beers or sodas.
Moreover, leveraging CO₂ according to the "Power-to-Fuel" principle – where electricity is converted into fuel – using renewable energy sources, offers the prospect of generating synthetic fuels. These could find application in sectors where battery electric propulsion are not yet an alternative to combustion engines, such as aviation or shipping.
For climate mitigation, CO₂ utilization presents a dual opportunity. Firstly, CO₂ is directly incorporated into products and bound there long-term. This is also known as the "industrial sink". Secondly, fewer fossil resources are being used. Ideally, this will save twice as much greenhouse gas emissions.