Transforming CO2 into everyday products

One company is hoping to create a circular economy for carbon

Spotted: The word ‘fermentation’ conjures bucolic images of wine grapes or hops. But carbon dioxide from industry can also be fermented, as can other forms of agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste. And US-based LanzaTech is leveraging the magic of fermentation to create ‘a circular economy where carbon can be infinitely reused’.

The company does this by, in its own words, ‘retrofitting a brewery onto an emission source like a steel mill or a landfill site’. However, instead of converting sugar and yeast into beer, LanzaTech’s ‘breweries’ harness bacteria to convert CO2 and other forms of pollution into sustainable fuel and chemicals used in everyday products.

Through its technology, LanzaTech acts as a bridge between waste producers who want to clean up their act and earn income from waste, and businesses looking to replace virgin resources with recycled carbon-based materials.

CarbonSmart products are products that are made using LanzaTech’s technology. They include clothes, plastic packaging, running shoes, and even fragrances, and the company has worked in partnership with brands such as Lululemon, Zara, Coty beauty, Unilever, and Migros.

In addition, working with its sister company LanzaJet, LanzaTech is helping the global aviation industry reach its target of using 10 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030.

Other carbon recycling innovations spotted by Springwise include food made out of carbon dioxide, algae-grown limestone for cement production, and green fuel made from air, wind, and water.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead