Lessons from natural photosynthesis: conversion of CO2 to raw materials for plastic!

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have successfully synthesized fumarate (fumaric acid), a raw material for unsaturated polyester resin, by combining carbon dioxide (CO2) with pyruvate (derived from biomass), using two biocatalysts: malate dehydrogenase and fumarase. Fumarate is currently used to make biodegradable plastic like polybutylene succinate from petroleum. However, this research has enabled the synthesis of fumarate without petroleum, consuming only CO2 and biomass-derived pyruvate.

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Artificial photosynthesis bringing new vigor into plastic wastes - Kang - 2023 - SmartMat - Wiley Online Library

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From Plastic Waste to Treasure: Selective Upcycling through Catalytic Technologies - Yue - 2023 - Advanced Energy Materials - Wiley Online Library

Lessons on conversion of CO2 to raw materials for plastic

Atmosphere, Free Full-Text

Plastics, fuels and chemical feedstocks from CO2? They're working on it.

Artificial photosynthesis bringing new vigor into plastic wastes - Kang - 2023 - SmartMat - Wiley Online Library