Carbon Capture and Utilization for Sustainable Supply Chain Design of Intermediate Chemicals: The Formate Factory

Silveira Sbrice Pinto, Ariane; Gulpinar, Nalan; Liu, Fang; Gibson, Elizabeth; Fuller, Linsey; Souter, Philip

Abstract

Carbon capture and use technologies (CCUt) to valorize industrial flue gases into products is the key to a circular economy. Risks related to technology readiness level (TRL) and supply chain design challenges still lack clarity, however, which might hinder the widespread implementation of CCUt. Industrial decarbonization requires a holistic approach, that includes supply chain design, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and lifecycle assessment (LCA) to drive the transition toward a low-carbon future. Here, formate production with biocatalytic (BR) or electrocatalytic (ER) routes was evaluated as a potential CCU strategy for industrial decarbonization. Electrocatalysis typically had a lower production cost than biocatalysis manufacturing, while the product carbon footprint (PCF) was generally lower for biotechnology. The uncertainty analysis (UA) indicated 58% and 2% probability to reduce emissions below petrochemical emissions with the BR and ER, respectively. Strategies for facilitating the deployment of formate factories, including carbon trading schemes, creating a market for industrial flue gas, and/or producing lower-grade products, were discussed.

Citation

Silveira Sbrice Pinto, A., Gulpinar, N., Liu, F., Gibson, E., Fuller, L., & Souter, P. (2025). Carbon Capture and Utilization for Sustainable Supply Chain Design of Intermediate Chemicals: The Formate Factory. ACS Sustainable Resource Management, 2(5), 733-743. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00472

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 24, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 7, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 17, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 17, 2025
• Journal: ACS Sustainable Resource Management
• Print ISSN: 2837-1445
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 733-743
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00472
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3708200