Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have unveiled a method to transform discarded PET plastic into a powerful material for capturing carbon dioxide, offering a potential breakthrough in addressing both plastic pollution and climate change. The study, published in Science Advances, introduces BAETA, a new CO2 sorbent derived from upcycled plastic waste.
PET, the common plastic used in bottles and textiles, typically ends up in landfills. It is also found in oceans where it breaks down into harmful microplastics. Researchers have found a way to repurpose degraded PET. They turn it into BAETA, a powdery material that binds CO2 effectively.
“The beauty of this method,” said lead author Margarita Poderyte, “is that it solves a problem. It does not create a new one.” “Turning waste into a raw material actively reduces greenhouse gases. Thus we make an environmental issue part of the solution to the climate crisis.”
How BAETA Works
The BAETA material can be pelletized and fitted into industrial systems where hot exhaust gases pass through. It captures CO2 even at high temperatures, up to 150°C. Once saturated, it can be heated to release and concentrate the CO2 for storage or reuse. This process restores its efficiency.
The process breaks PET plastic down to its chemical building blocks. It enhances it with ethylenediamine. This compound is known for its CO2-binding abilities. This makes BAETA comparable to existing carbon capture technologies while being easier to scale and more sustainable.
From Lab to Industry
The research team envisions BAETA being deployed first in industrial plants to reduce emissions. They are now seeking investment to scale production to commercial levels.
“This material works efficiently and stays effective over time,” said co-author Jiwoong Lee. “It offers both flexibility and durability, which are critical for real-world applications.”
The researchers emphasize that their method is not competing with recycling. Instead, it targets PET plastics that are too degraded, mixed, or low quality to be recycled conventionally.
If successfully scaled, BAETA could not only help cut CO2 emissions but also create an incentive to clean plastic from the world’s oceans, where degraded PET is abundant.
