Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing Decarbonization project launches in US to foster sustainable manufacturing

In Washington, the National Science Foundation has funded the Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing Decarbonization, or CURB, Engineering Research Center, or ERC, a multi-institutional engineering research center that aims to develop transformative technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable manufacturing practices. The $26 million project is led by Washington University in St. Louis. The project includes seven universities, and 21 industry partners, including Nestlé Purina, Brewer Science and Southwest Airlines.

With the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and moving the manufacturing industry closer to zero or negative emissions, CURB ERC will employ a hybrid electro-bio CO2 utilization, which uses electrocatalysis — a process that uses a catalyst to facilitate an electrochemical reaction — to convert carbon dioxide into liquid chemical compounds like ethanol, acetate and propionate.

Using biomanufacturing systems, these compounds, also called intermediates, can then be processed to produce environmentally responsible products like biofertilizers, biochemicals and biomaterials. Researchers will then take the new products and test them for market viability, including supply chain design, life cycle emissions and environmental justice impact; they will also identify potential barriers to commercialization.

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