Carbon Dioxide To Become A Raw Material For The Chemistry Of The Future

Could the medicines, plastics and chemicals of the future be made from carbon dioxide rather than oil? That is the vision behind the new research centre ACCELERATE, in which researchers from Stockholm University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology play a key role.

Today, carbon dioxide is primarily viewed as an emission that drives climate change. However, through advanced catalysis research, scientists aim to transform it into a valuable feedstock for the chemical industry. At Stockholm University, Professor Belén Martín-Matute leads efforts to develop catalysts capable of converting the highly stable carbon dioxide molecule into complex organic compounds.

The initiative is being carried out within the new ACCELERATE research centre, led by Christophe Duwig at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and funded by Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. Its aim is to reduce the chemical industry's dependence on fossil-based feedstocks and pave the way for more sustainable chemicals, materials and pharmaceutical building blocks.

“Carbon dioxide is a very stable molecule, which means that a great deal of energy is required to transform it. Through catalysis, we can reduce the energy demand and make the process feasible,” says Belén Martín-Matute.

By bringing together researchers in chemistry, engineering and sustainability analysis, alongside industry partners, ACCELERATE seeks to speed up the transition towards a chemical industry in which carbon dioxide is no longer regarded as waste, but as a valuable resource.