Covestro produces plastic from carbon dioxide industrially for the first time

Turning carbon dioxide into organic matter, only plants can do it before; and a new technology of the Germans turns carbon dioxide into plastic. For the first time, the most common industrial by-products and greenhouse gases are being fed into factories to replace petroleum as a raw material.

Recently, Covestro, one of the world's largest polymer manufacturers, announced that they have produced plastics from carbon dioxide industrially for the first time and have their patents. Covestro said that with this technology, they are taking another step towards saving fossil energy and closing the carbon cycle.

In Dormagen near Cologne, Germany, a new foam raw material plant produces a special 'polyether polyol', one-fifth of which comes from carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is first turned into polyols, which are then combined into polyurethane foams, which are used to make various plastics. With this technology, it is possible to reduce the amount of fossil raw materials used. The polyurethane material produced by carbon dioxide is finally installed in mattresses and furniture. In the future, it will also be used in cars, running shoes, cold chains and temporary housing.

Interestingly, Covestro revealed this time that ultra-light polyurethane foam insulation made of carbon dioxide has been used on the "Solar Impulse" aircraft that sailed around the world to provide the cockpit with the required strength and Insulate from extreme temperatures outside.