Researchers from the Korea Institute of Advanced Technology have shown that Cupriavidus necator, a well-known bacterium, can transform carbon dioxide from the air into a valuable bioplastic. The work was published in Microbial Cell Factories.
The team highlights a dual achievement: removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere and producing a plastic alternative that does not rely on petroleum. This could help reduce the global dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable materials ecosystem in North America as well as worldwide.
The scientists describe the results as technologies that can be applied to the production of a range of chemicals, including bioplastics, and they anticipate these methods becoming essential components on the path to carbon neutrality in the future.
The process unfolds in two stages. First, an electrolyzer converts gaseous CO2 into formate, a simple organic compound. This formate then enters a fermentation system where Cupriavidus necator is employed to do the work.
Inside the fermentation tank, the bacteria consume the formate and accumulate biodegradable polyester pellets. These pellets can be extracted from the harvested cells, presenting a tangible plastic product derived from carbon dioxide. In experimental observations, the polyester accounted for 83 percent of the dry mass of bacterial cells after five days.
According to the researchers, the system is capable of continuous operation. It has run for 18 days in ongoing experiments, yielding 1.45 grams of polyester over that period. These findings suggest the approach could scale up for longer production runs and broader applications in industrial settings.
The implications extend beyond a single organism or a single material. By converting atmospheric CO2 into a renewable polymer, this method aligns with broader efforts to decarbonize manufacturing and create chemistry that is less dependent on fossil fuels. The potential to pair this technology with existing bioprocessing and electrochemical steps makes it a versatile option for future green chemistry platforms in North America and beyond.