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 can be turned into plastic, which can then be used to make products such as synthetic fibres. This method could potentially improve the quality of these products compared to conventional production methods.
One thing is clear: In order to achieve German and European climate goals, CO₂ storage is a necessary part of the solution on a transitional basis until a market for CO₂ is fully established. Whenever possible, however, another solution should be favored – the utilization of CO₂.
Unveiling the Potential of CO₂
In terms of the climate, the use of CO₂ means: 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.