Chemists Are Getting Closer to Green Plastic Technology

Chemists at the University of California, Berkeley, are close to developing a plastic technology that doesn’t use fossil fuels and releases little or no CO2.

Scientists have long been working on a plastic technology that doesn’t use fossil fuels and releases little or no CO2.

For example, the electrochemical cells technology uses water and waste CO2 from industrial processes, but also depends on alkaline additives.

These additives take large amounts of energy to make, so the process is hardly sustainable.

However, researchers are not giving up.

According to ScienceMag, chemists at the University of California, Berkeley, are close to overcoming the alkaline additives hurdle.

“One advance links two electrochemical cells in tandem to bypass the problem altogether, and another turns to an enzyme-like catalyst to generate a desired chemical without consuming alkaline additives. The plastics industry isn’t about to abandon fossil fuels for CO2 and renewable electricity, but the field is picking up steam,” says Feng Jiao, an electrochemist at the University of Delaware, Newark.”

Electrochemical cells work like batteries in reverse — instead of converting chemical energy into electricity, they use electricity to make chemicals.

A team led by Edward Sargent, a chemist at the University of Toronto has been experimenting with a device called a solid oxide electrochemical cell.

It uses high temperatures to convert CO2 to CO and can be powered by renewable electricity. CO is then processed in another electrochemical cell that produces ethylene, a chemical used to make a range of plastic commodities.

Nikola Gemeš

Highlights • 10 years of writing and editing experience Obsessed with home decor trends, plant parenting, cleaning, and other lifestyle topics. • Expertise in content marketing and email strategy for brands and small businesses About Nikola Gemeš Nikola Gemeš, an electrical engineer turned sustainability consultant, bridges the gap between complex environmental concepts and GreenCitizen readers with his well-researched, accurate content. His commitment to sustainability extends from his professional life to personal practices of recycling and home-grown food. An adventurer at heart, Nikola enjoys hiking, white-water sports, and pocket knife collecting. At Green Citizen, he's instrumental in presenting the best sustainable brands, aiding well-informed decision-making. He firmly believes in the collective power of individuals, experts, businesses, and governments to foster a world where sustainability, life quality, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality are core values. Experience Nikola Gemeš has a rich and diverse background in electrical engineering, which he utilizes to break down complex sustainability topics for his readers. His unique blend of technical knowledge and communicative skills has made him a crucial part of GreenCitizen. Nikola's experience has honed his ability to navigate through intricate data and research, ensuring the content he delivers is both accurate and reliable. His passion for educating and informing is palpable in the impact he has made on Green Citizen's readership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nikola is deeply committed to environmental conservation in his personal life. This commitment is reflected in his everyday activities, from recycling to cultivating his own food. His hands-on approach to sustainability gives him a first-hand understanding of practical conservation efforts, further enriching the content he produces. These personal experiences often seep into his work, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Nikola's key role extends to assessing and presenting sustainable brands to his audience. His comprehensive grasp of sustainability allows him to critically evaluate and offer the best environmentally-friendly options available on the market. He aids readers in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on both their lives and the environment. His belief in collective efforts towards a sustainable world is evident in his work, as he consistently promotes values of quality life, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality.