Lessons from natural photosynthesis: conversion of CO2 to raw materials for plastic!

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have successfully synthesized fumarate (fumaric acid), a raw material for unsaturated polyester resin, by combining carbon dioxide (CO2) with pyruvate (derived from biomass), using two biocatalysts: malate dehydrogenase and fumarase. Fumarate is currently used to make biodegradable plastic like polybutylene succinate from petroleum. However, this research has enabled the synthesis of fumarate without petroleum, consuming only CO2 and biomass-derived pyruvate.

How to Convert Climate-Changing Carbon Dioxide Into Plastics and Other Products

Towards a sustainable conversion of biomass/biowaste to porous carbons for CO 2 adsorption: recent advances, current challenges, and future directions - Green Chemistry (RSC Publishing) DOI:10.1039/D3GC00636K

Artificial photosynthesis uses sunlight to make biodegradable plastic

Plastic Waste Product Captures Carbon Dioxide in Nanometer Pores

Artificial photosynthesis bringing new vigor into plastic wastes - Kang - 2023 - SmartMat - Wiley Online Library

Integrating greenhouse gas capture and C1 biotechnology: a key challenge for circular economy - García - 2022 - Microbial Biotechnology - Wiley Online Library

Advances in Thermo-, Photo-, and Electrocatalytic Continuous Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into Liquid Chemicals

Towards artificial photosynthesis: Sustainable hydrogen utilization for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to high-value renewable fuels - ScienceDirect

Recent advances in the catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals and demonstration projects in China - ScienceDirect

Multifunctional Catalyst Combination for the Direct Conversion of CO2 to Propane