Econic’s innovative new catalyst technology uses captured CO₂ to make plastics, sequestering carbon and reducing emissions from manufacturing.
The demand for plastics, the manufacture of which typically uses fossil fuel feedstocks, is growing rapidly. Econic’s catalyst systems allow up to 50% of the necessary fossil-fuel-based raw materials to be replaced by CO2 in the manufacture of polyols – a building block for plastics. These polyols can then be used in a range of products, from running shoes and sofas to building insulation and car parts. In addition to offering products in which 50% of the raw materials are replaced with CO2, the company also offers a “tunable” catalyst system, which allows customers to tailor the amount of CO2 incorporated into their polyols according to the performance requirements.
This solution was featured in the Upcycling Carbon market of the 2018 Global Opportunity Report, and was selected based on the criteria of that report.
How the Global Goals are addressed
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
By using waste CO₂ from industry as a resource, Econic is reducing the CO₂ emissions per unit of value added, helping to create more sustainable industries.
Responsible consumption and production
Using waste products as feedstocks for the plastics industry is one strategy for moving towards a circular economy and helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Climate action
Econic predicts that if its technology achieves a market penetration of 30% by 2026, 3.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions could be avoided annually.
Econic
Econic creates new value from waste CO2 for the plastics industry. They provide new ways to help polyol manufacturers make products using their novel catalyst technology. Ways that cost less – financially and environmentally.
Global Goals addressed