Plastic from CO2

[danmand]

Novomer is developing a process to make plastics from
renewable sources like CO2.
http://www.essentialconnections.org/index.php?action=profile&entity_id=496

 

[Meister]

Sounds like a promising process. However, if I understand correctly they are competing with other biodegradable plastics which are quite expensive. I don't think the costs are in a range where they can compete or replace regular plastics.

 

[danmand]

Sounds like a promising process. However, if I understand correctly they are competing with other biodegradable plastics which are quite expensive. I don't think the costs are in a range where they can compete or replace regular plastics.

If they can do the trick in large industrial scale, there is lots of money available
for binding CO2 from power generating plants.

There is prize for anyone inventing a process for that.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6345557.stm

 

[Meister]

Right now it would be a case of comparing petroleum based cheap plastics versus green plastics. It's more of a political thing, just like gas vs. electric cars. As long as you can dig it out of the ground cheaply and there is no government regulation preventing you, the cheap stuff will always win.

 

[danmand]

Right now it would be a case of comparing petroleum based cheap plastics versus green plastics. It's more of a political thing, just like gas vs. electric cars. As long as you can dig it out of the ground cheaply and there is no government regulation preventing you, the cheap stuff will always win.

Correct, but remember that companies will pay you to remove CO2
from the atmosphere.

The wind energy growth would also not have happened if it
were not for large government subsidies of different kinds.

 

[tboy]

This thread supplements my thread on the mission to mars and the costs involved. If the various governments spent as much on innovations like this, instead of trying to reach a barren rock we might be able to save this planet.

 

[LancsLad]

Plus it reduces the amount of oil the Us will need to import.

Also slows down the cash windfall to the islame terrorists.

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