Development of processes for biological CO2 capture and conversion for long-term storage

The continued increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is causing serious global climatic impacts: global warming, droughts, floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. Conventional storage strategies treat CO2 as waste to be buried, which comes with several drawbacks, such as high costs and potential leaks. Furthermore, with the rising risks and occurrences of wildfires, carbon offset programs based on tree planting raise concerns.

In collaboration with our project partner, involved at every stage of the research, we aim to develop a bioprocess for capturing CO2 in the form of carbonates and organic products. A significant portion of these organic compounds will be converted into polymers or plastics, promoting the long-term sequestration of CO2. To focus the operations on carbon transformation, the nitrogen and phosphorus content in the biomass will be recycled within the bioprocess, which will reduce costs and minimize the necessary inputs.

This project will help maximize the partner company’s revenue from CO2 capture, train highly skilled students, and develop cutting-edge knowledge on the production and valorization of microalgal biomass. Quebec, like all nations globally, must reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, the valorization of CO2 into everyday products will address these environmental and economic concerns, while also contributing to job creation.