Swiss breakthrough converts carbon dioxide into acetaldehyde
A step forward for industrial sustainability
Researchers from the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, have pioneered a groundbreaking process to convert CO2 into acetaldehyde, an industrially significant chemical with wide-ranging applications. This achievement was made possible through the use of a specialised copper catalyst developed specifically for the study. Emerging amid the global shift towards ecological sustainability, this innovation could deliver substantial environmental and industrial benefits.
“Apart from any other considerations, CO2 plays a very important role in our climate mechanisms,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, civil engineer and entrepreneur. “A part of the heat radiated by the Earth is absorbed by CO2, which is also responsible for regulating the planet’s climate. This combination of factors creates the conditions that allow flora and fauna to live and thrive”.
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring, colourless and odourless gas essential to the carbon cycle and the atmosphere. It plays a pivotal role in photosynthesis, enabling plants to transform CO2 into oxygen. Despite these critical functions, the rising concentration of carbon dioxide – often linked to human activities – has become a central factor in global warming and climate change. In today’s context, where combating climate change is a global priority, the regulation and repurposing of CO2 emissions carry significant strategic weight.
A breakthrough approach
The Swiss team’s findings represent a potential turning point. Historically, acetaldehyde has been manufactured using fossil fuel-based raw materials like natural gas. The newly developed process utilises carbon dioxide instead, transforming a harmful greenhouse gas into a valuable industrial chemical while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
“Over the years, human activities have contributed to leaving a clear trace of CO2, determining the increase in the greenhouse effect and the consequent warming of the planet,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “This situation brings with it some aspects that are not compatible with the health of the Earth, such as the general increase in temperature and the melting of snow and ice. Also, for these reasons, the result achieved by the Swiss research team seems particularly encouraging since it translates into an innovative method that could change the rules of the game in many industrial sectors while reducing emissions”.
Central to the success of the research was the development of a highly efficient copper catalyst. The process demonstrated an impressive 92% conversion rate of CO2 into acetaldehyde. The catalyst retained its performance across multiple cycles and resisted oxidisation even after exposure to air. The sustainably produced acetaldehyde could redefine operations in industries including pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
Potential impact and future benefits
When applied on a larger scale, this process could contribute significantly to achieving international carbon reduction goals while simultaneously producing a highly valuable industrial product. Industries with substantial CO2 emissions, such as steel, cement and energy, stand to benefit from the ability to convert emissions into a useful resource.
“The new method would make it possible to create added value from the captured CO2, balancing the costs associated with the capture and storage of carbon dioxide with the creation of an economically relevant substance,” concludes Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “The new processes for creating chemical acetaldehyde would also reduce the environmental impact of the production of this substance, transforming carbon dioxide into a real raw material. Furthermore, the large-scale implementation of these processes could represent a real stimulus for technological advancement in the catalyst sector, encouraging the development of increasingly innovative and efficient tools.”
