Bacteria to recycle CO2 pollution into biofuel

The goal is clear: if we want to fight climate change and protect our planet we must cut CO2 emissions by 55% in 2030 and reach carbon neutrality in 2050, that is the balance between CO2 emissions and the absorption of carbon. The problem is with what technology can a circular economy be built in which carbon is continuously reused instead of being dispersed in the air and oceans? In part it already exists. Jennifer Holmgren is the CEO of LanzaTech a world-leading gas fermentation technology company headquartered in Illinois. In practice, the gas is captured and, thanks to the bacteria, it becomes ethanol, called Lanzanol.

A method by which US researchers have managed to trap pollution by transforming it into something useful, especially into biofuel that can be used not only by cars, but has been tested and seems to also work as a jet fuel. A success. To the point that Holmgren has managed to turn a small biotech from New Zealand into a green giant in the United States with hundreds of patents and dozens of agreements already signed with the world’s largest companies grappling with the ecological transition.

Finalist at The Eartshot Prize

LanzaTech was selected by the Royal Foundation among the fifteen finalists of The Eartshot Prize. “Because as the world fights to tackle the climate crisis and switches to clean energy, we need ideas that mitigate the damage caused by carbon dioxide pollution,” explained the scientists who are part of the scientific committee of the award.

Dubbed the Eco Oscar, it is the Royal Foundation’s award and the Prince Williams to the five best projects that help regenerate our planet in the next 10 years. 50 million pounds made available, which will go – one million each – to five annual winners, until 2030. The prizes will be awarded to five different categories: the defense and regeneration of the natural habitat, the improvement of air quality, the restoration of the oceans, the promotion of a zero-waste society and the resolution of the climate problem.

Boston is the city that this year will host the awards ceremony on December 2 of the Earthshot Awards 2022.“It is an opportunity to put the global spotlight on our efforts to combat climate change and demonstrate that, together, we can meet the urgency that this moment requires with innovative solutions that protect our planet and future generations,” explained the Prince William.

The circular economy and carbon emissions

We are able to collect industrial waste gases from steel mills, refineries, petrochemical plants, gas treatment plants and convert it into ethanol “, explained Dr. Holmiger able to transform waste carbon into sustainable fuels, textiles, packaging, But Dr. Holmgren succeeded where other scientists threw in the towel: she managed to persuade the Chinese government to open three ethanol production plants in the provinces of Caoldian and Ningxia. for example, they are transformed through microbial fermentation into a polyester fiber, while two ferroalloy plants and one in a steel mill diverted over 190,000 tons of CO2 emissions into valuable products, such as sustainable fuels, packaging , cosmetics, detergents for cleaning the home and fabrics. Goal: 20 plants in operation by the end of 2024 in all to the world.

While the industry still uses fossil fuels, we need solutions that capture emissions at source. At LanzaTech, we don’t just do this, we also transform those pollutants into useful products for society and, in turn, we keep fossil resources underground. It is an honor to have been awarded the Earthshot Prize for this work, “said Dr. Jennifer Holmgren. According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy demand will continue to rise, but it is clear that the energy market it will be very different from today. Among the answers to decarbonization, great expectations are those towards biofuels. The road map of green production seems to be marked. In 2030 it is expected that biofuels will reach the production of 23 billion liters equal to 5, 3% of the total. In 2035 they will rise to 91 billion liters (17%) and in 2040 to 39% of the total with 229 billion liters produced in the world. Up to 2050 when the liters will be 449 billion. 65% of the total.