Explainers
From Waste Gas to Protein and Plastic: How Two CO2 Utilization Pathways Compare
Captured carbon dioxide can be transformed into valuable products like animal feed protein or polyurethane foam through two distinct pathways: biochemical conversion using microorganisms and polymer production using CO2 as a feedstock. Both routes show market potential by 2040 but face energy penalties and require significant policy and investment support for widespread adoption.
Lena Petrova·October 28, 2026
