A new European project is working to turn carbon dioxide waste into biodegradable plastics, offering industries a way to replace fossil-based materials while reducing emissions.
The UNICO2RN project, which launched in June 2025, is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Belgian research organization VITO. Nine partners across Europe are collaborating on the initiative, including technology companies, research institutes, and industrial firms.
The project focuses on capturing biogenic CO2, which comes from natural sources like fermentation processes and organic waste treatment. Unlike fossil fuel emissions, this type of carbon is part of the natural carbon cycle and doesn’t add new carbon to the atmosphere when released.
The captured CO2 is then converted into useful materials through a biological process. Specialized bacteria consume the carbon dioxide along with hydrogen, transforming them into biodegradable plastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and microbial proteins that could be used in food and feed products.
The technology uses advanced capture systems to collect high-purity CO2 from industrial facilities. The process is designed to be flexible, handling different types and concentrations of carbon emissions from various sources.
Two industrial sites will demonstrate the full process, from capturing CO2 through final production. These demonstrations aim to prove the technology works at commercial scale and can integrate into existing industrial operations.
The consortium plans to evaluate the environmental impact, economic viability, and social benefits throughout development. The project will also work with emerging certification frameworks for CO2-based products.
If successful, UNICO2RN could help European industries transition away from conventional plastics while making productive use of their carbon emissions.
