Finnish company Fortum Recycling & Waste presented its latest technology, which allows obtaining bioplastic literally from smoke. Or rather, from one of its components – carbon dioxide.

The company conducted similar tests at its non-recyclable waste incineration plant in Riihimäki. According to statements by Fortum management, the tests were successful and very promising. The resulting plastic is not inferior in its properties to primary plastics based on fossil fuels. It can be recycled and even if it gets into the environment, it decomposes without leaving microplastics.

According to the company's management, the resulting plastic can be used not only to produce materials for packaging food products or cosmetics, but also toys and household appliances.

The idea of ​​capturing carbon dioxide is not new. But this is the first time it has been successfully converted into plastic. Other projects have used the captured CO2 to make fuel or pump it into storage.

Already next month, the company plans to introduce its new plastic on the European market under the brand name “plastics born from CO2”. If the project is well received and developed, Fortum management expects that industrial production of biodegradable plastic made from CO2 emissions captured during waste incineration could begin as early as the end of the decade.

Materials used from sites fortum.com, packaginginsights.com.