plastic from carbon emissions…might be spun, molded, and more

Is it possible to take the carbon molecules in greenhouse gasses (methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) and convert them into long carbon chains like plastic?

This question is at the heart of a new area of sustainable materials engineering. AirCarbon is one company that’s taken this process commerical and currently supplies it emission-engineered plastic to 30 companies, according to this Guardian article. The company calls itself “carbon negative.”

As a substitute for fossil fuel-based plastics, it can be extruded, made into film, spun as fiber, injection molded and more. Some of it is even biodegradable. Why didn’t anyone think of this before? The company’s biggest problem is keeping up with demand.

What’s your favorite new material technology? share in the comments.