Feature
University of Southampton spin-out ViridiCO2 is revolutionising the sustainability of chemical manufacturing processes by deriving products from carbon dioxide to close the carbon loop.
CAPTURING CARBON “ ViridiCO2 enables manufacturers to use CO₂ as a direct replacement for petrochemicals. Our catalyst takes carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and turns it into polymers.” Dr Daniel Stewart Founder of ViridiCO2
The UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP26, brought into sharp focus yet again the desperate need for increased action on climate change and reducing carbon emissions. It is time for action and Dr Daniel Stewart, founder of ViridiCO2, is already on the case. “Our new technology is able to directly replace petrochemicals, these are chemicals derived from fossil fuels used in the chemical manufacturing process, with repurposed CO₂,” explained Daniel. “By using waste CO₂ in this way, it not only reduces emissions and fossil fuel reliance, it also serves as a CO₂ utilisation strategy, rather than just a storage solution.” Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a way to prevent CO₂ reaching the atmosphere by either storing it safely or using it to create useful products. Typically, CCUS involves the removal of CO₂ from the exhaust gases of industrial facilities, such as those producing chemicals. The CO₂ can then be compressed and transported for storage in geological formations underground, or it can be used as a raw material which can then be utilised to produce products. Current methods of turning
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CO₂ into a raw material require significant energy and so aren’t widely utilised. To address this, ViridiCO2 has developed a new technology to make this process more energy efficient. Daniel said: “ViridiCO2 enables manufacturers to use CO₂ as a direct replacement for petrochemicals. Our catalyst takes carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and turns it into polymers. These polymers can be used in furniture, cars and clothing. This means consumers will be able to buy products which are actually made from waste CO₂, saving the planet whilst buying the products they need.” Start up support ViridiCO2 has gone from vision to spin-out at fast speed. Daniel said: “The speed with which the company has formed and grown has been phenomenal and that is due in no small part to all the support we’ve had from so many departments and programmes across the University. During my PhD at Southampton, I focused on the design and manipulation of catalysts for chemical processes to make them more sustainable. Early on, I hit upon something which was incredibly efficient at transforming CO₂ and we developed it for the
