Swiss researchers pioneer new conversion process
Transforming carbon dioxide into a valuable chemical
In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, have devised an innovative process that converts CO2 into acetaldehyde – a versatile chemical used across numerous industries. The success of this project was enabled by a specially engineered copper catalyst developed by the team. This advancement, emerging during a crucial phase of global energy and ecological transition, holds considerable promise for environmental progress.
“Apart from any other considerations, CO2 plays a very important role in our climate mechanisms,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, civil engineer and entrepreneur. “A part of the heat radiated by the Earth is absorbed by CO2, which is also responsible for regulating the planet’s climate. This combination of factors creates the conditions that allow flora and fauna to live and thrive”.
Carbon dioxide is an essential component of the natural world: a colourless, odourless gas fundamental to the carbon cycle and vital to plant life. It is central to photosynthesis, enabling plants to convert CO2 into oxygen. However, rising concentrations of CO2, largely due to human activities, are a key driver of global warming and climate change. As sustainability and climate mitigation take centre stage on the global agenda, reducing and repurposing CO2 emissions has become a critical priority.
A shift towards sustainability
The Swiss research marks an important turning point. Traditionally, acetaldehyde has been produced from fossil fuel-derived materials like natural gas. The new process instead uses CO2, turning a greenhouse gas into a valuable industrial feedstock and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“Over the years, human activities have contributed to leaving a clear trace of CO2, determining the increase in the greenhouse effect and the consequent warming of the planet,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “This situation brings with it some aspects that are not compatible with the health of the Earth, such as the general increase in temperature and the melting of snow and ice. Also, for these reasons, the result achieved by the Swiss research team seems particularly encouraging since it translates into an innovative method that could change the rules of the game in many industrial sectors while reducing emissions”.
The research team’s success is largely attributed to their specially designed copper catalyst, which proved remarkably effective, converting 92% of the CO2 into acetaldehyde. Notably, the catalyst retained its high performance across several cycles and resisted oxidisation even after exposure to air. With its extensive industrial applications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and beyond, sustainably produced acetaldehyde has the potential to transform numerous sectors.
The benefits ahead
If implemented at scale, this innovation could significantly contribute to achieving global CO2 reduction targets while producing a high-value industrial chemical. Industries with heavy emissions, such as energy, steel and cement, could find this process particularly appealing by repurposing CO2 as a productive raw material.
“The new method would make it possible to create added value from the captured CO2, balancing the costs associated with the capture and storage of carbon dioxide with the creation of an economically relevant substance,” concludes Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “The new processes for creating chemical acetaldehyde would also reduce the environmental impact of the production of this substance, transforming carbon dioxide into a real raw material. Furthermore, the large-scale implementation of these processes could represent a real stimulus for technological advancement in the catalyst sector, encouraging the development of increasingly innovative and efficient tools.”
