THE CATCO2NVERS TECHNOLOGIES
Discover the five conversion technologies to transform CO₂ into valuable chemicals
The CATCO2NVERS project has achieved developing five novel CO₂ conversion technologies, each focused on converting carbon emissions into valuable chemicals and materials that support various industrial applications from cosmetics to green fuels.
Technology 1: Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO₂ to Glyoxylic Acid
Avantium has developed an innovative two-step process to convert CO₂ into glyoxylic acid for the cosmetics industry. This method first transforms CO₂ into oxalic acid in a non-aqueous medium, then reduces it to glyoxylic acid in water. Using sustainable, non-toxic electrodes, it avoids lead-based catalysts, improving environmental and operational efficiency. The University of Twente has refined this process to meet the purity standards for cosmetics. The next phase will involve testing the technology in demonstration units to scale the CO₂-to-glyoxylic acid conversion model.
Technology 2: Biocatalytic Conversion of CO₂ to Lactic Acid
Researchers at Wageningen University & Research, alongside Johnson Matthey, have developed a biocatalytic process that converts CO₂ emissions and bio-ethanol from biobased industries into lactic acid, used in cosmetics and biodegradable plastics. Utilizing efficient new enzymes, they demonstrated production from gas mixtures that mimic industrial CO₂ streams. This eco-friendly approach advances enzymatic CO₂ utilization, offering potential in green chemistry applications.
Technology 3: Chemical Conversion of CO₂ to FDME
CATCO2NVERS researchers focused on FDME, a sustainable chemical for biobased plastics, achieving high-purity production through a solvent-free, two-stage process with a single copper catalyst. They also developed stable, reusable catalysts using low-energy mechanochemical polymerization. This eco-friendly method offers both environmental and economic benefits, supporting FDME as a viable alternative in polymer production to reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials.
Technology 4: Conversion of CO₂ to Cyclic Carbonates (CCFAMEs)
FUNDITEC has developed an efficient, sustainable method to convert vegetable oils, like soybean oil, into cyclic carbonates. Using metal-complex catalysts from porous organic polymers, the process achieves over 98% efficiency and 97% selectivity by combining oxidation and carbonation in a “one-pot” approach. This innovation, yielding 60% cyclic carbonates, showcases the versatility of plant-based feedstocks and advances green chemistry in chemical manufacturing.
Technology 5: Catalytic Conversion of CO₂ to Bio-Methanol
The CATCO2NVERS project has developed a high-performance multi-metal catalyst for CO₂-to-methanol conversion, achieving 6.4% conversion and 83% methanol selectivity at pressures up to 10 bar. A recirculation system improves efficiency by recapturing unconverted CO₂. This innovative technology offers a promising pathway for renewable methanol production, supporting greener fuel alternatives and reducing reliance on traditional, high-pressure processes.
