To carbon, or Not to carbon

Abatement v/s Removal

As new technologies for carbon removal and carbon offsetting continue to emerge, the debate between these two approaches intensifies. Proponents of carbon offsetting and abatement argue that carbon removal technologies, including Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), do not discourage ongoing emissions from daily operations. They contend that it doesn't make sense to allow emissions to continue and then spend resources to remove them. Additionally, they argue that removal efforts are akin to taking a drop from the ocean, especially given the high costs and the reliance on a technology that is still years from maturing.

BUT proponents of carbon removal emphasize the necessity of counteracting emissions effectively, particularly as Scope 3 emissions constitute a significant portion of total emissions, encompassing the entire value chain and essential products in the current economy. They argue that consumers are unlikely to swiftly alter their consumption patterns, underlining the urgent need to offset carbon emissions with removal methods. Furthermore challenges arise in implementing stringent, enduring policies against the most polluting industries due to political constraints. This difficulty is mirrored in the prevalent enthusiasm for carbon removal strategies, stemming from a longstanding preference for "techno-fixes" as a means to navigate around political hurdles.

Caught in the midst of this debate, we are all losing ground. I reckon that both strategies must be considered together, to achieve realistic timelines and effective outcomes. The question isn't about favoring one approach over the other. Indeed decarbonizing each industry on its own might take decades, if not centuries. So, is there a way we can decarbonize multiple sectors at once? Can sustainably produced chemicals revolutionize industries like cosmetics, agriculture, energy etc. all at once? The need is immediate.

To carbon, or not to carbon, that is the question.

Scope 3 emissions

While there is an overall need for decarbonization, the greater emphasis lies in addressing Scope 3 emissions. This involves decarbonizing the foundation of operations and manufacturing, targeting the base of the pyramid. As a result, there has been increased focus on how base materials and chemicals are produced and the sources from which they are derived, as well as evolving operational practices and processes.

A prime example of this need is found in utility chemicals such as Acetic acid, Acetates, Acrylamides, Acrylates, Nitrates, Methanol, and Methane etc. One clear way to decarbonize these chemicals is to move away from their petrochemical origins. Similarly, another commodity use material - plastics can be decarbonized through effective recycling methods or by finding biobased or biodegradable alternatives that offer comparable performance and cost to today's plastics.

Process Innovation - Systemic Change

Companies like New Iridium , iMicrobes , Mars Materials , Aerleum , OCOchem , ATOMICS , NitroCapt AB , Solugen Global , and Twelve are reducing reliance on petrochemicals for base chemicals.

For example, New Iridium and Solugen Global use biobased feedstocks combined with enzymatic or organometallic catalysis to produce sustainable chemicals. This approach is part of 'biomass carbon removal and storage,' which utilizes natural processes on a large scale to convert harvested plant material into long-lasting carbon removal, benefiting the planet.

Additionally, companies like Mars Materials , OCOchem , Aerleum , TURN2X and Twelve are converting carbon dioxide, the largest greenhouse gas by volume, into chemicals such as Acrylonitriles, Formic acid, Methanol, Methane, and Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). They use carbon dioxide as a direct feedstock instead of relying on biological intermediates from plants, providing an innovative solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Value across Sectors

Sustainably produced chemicals hold significant value across sectors such as cosmetics, agriculture, energy, and data storage. This approach not only assists industries in achieving their net-zero targets but also fosters a more circular economy in the long run. It underscores the significance of innovation in chemical production, enabling the simultaneous decarbonization of multiple sectors and initiating a cross-sectoral ripple effect in reducing emissions.

Viability of the Net Zero Dream

As these companies strive for success, achieving cost parity swiftly becomes imperative. And achieving cost parity is only a matter of scale. BUT Is it?

To Be Continued...