Originally funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs’ ZIM-cooperation network, “UseCO2” has the goal to utilize carbon dioxide instead of fossil feedstock, such as crude oil and natural gas, as starting material for sustainable products. The participants develop technologies to fix CO2 from industry emission and from the atmosphere to transform them into basic chemicals. This way, everyday products are produced, such as synthetic fibers, lubricants, adhesives, plastics or even fuels. Compared to their equivalents made of crude oil, these products have a lower “CO2-footprint” or are totally CO2-neutral. Using CO2 with the aid of microorganisms, plants, algae or physico-chemical synthesis are not only climate-friendly but also sustainable. The network intends to deliver solutions through developing new technologies and products in order to become independent from available crude oil or fluctuating crude oil prices. Hence, the network supports transforming our crude oil-based society into a sustainable one.
Former R&D‑Partners: bbi-biotech, plan-bee, provenion, Romex RPG, TUM — Industrial Biocatalysis, Universität Bayreuth — Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry II
A research team from TU Graz and the Czech Academy of Sciences has used two enzymes to eliminate the need for highly toxic cyanide in the production of nitriles.
The Finnish sustainability fund UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund (UBFIGG) and the specialty chemicals group ALTANA are investing in the technology company NORDTREAT.
440 participants discussed the defossilisation of the chemical and materials industry through biomass, CO2 and recycling. The audience voted for the “Renewable Material of the Year 2024”: Acetic acid…