SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): U.S.-based LanzaTech turns waste emissions into useful products using microbes. The microbes are found to be capable of consuming carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
The unique technique is already being used by three Chinese firms in commercial scale to produce ethanol. This ethanol is used as a chemical building block for consumer goods like plastic bottles and clothing. The company has already entered into partnerships with leading brands such as Zara and L'Oreal.
Till date, LanzaTech has produced approximately 200 million liters of ethanol, thus preventing emissions of nearly 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. It has invested in the technology for long 15 years and plans optimization and commercial implementation of the unique technique in more number of facilities.
The clients of LanzaTech include two ferroalloy plants and a steel plant in China. It is currently building six additional locations, including those for ArcelorMittal and Indian Oil Company.
In addition, LanzaTech has also been involved in using ethanol to produce ‘sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF).