In New York, a startup is using captured carbon dioxide to produce ethanol for a proof-of-concept perfume. Dubbed Air Eau de Parfum, Air Company’s scent includes notes of fig leaf, orange and jasmine. Indistinguishable from traditional perfume, Air Eau de Parfum uses ethanol made from captured carbon dioxide, as opposed to corn-based ethanol that, while technically renewable, requires land, water, and fertilizers to produce.
The company has already manufactured vodka and hand sanitizer using captured CO2, and eventually wants to move to larger volume, higher-impact products such as jet fuel.
“The goal for us has always been to use these products in our own internal research and development for the company, but [also] as beacons for people to show you that you can make these really sustainable products that people use every day in their lives,” cofounder and CEO Gregory Constantine tells Fast Company. “What we’re able to create is a great proof of concept, but where we’re able to have real impact on CO2 reduction, from an emissions reduction point of view, is when we’re able to then implement it into big business and into their pipelines as well.”