Researchers design a catalyst to produce industrial chemicals from greenhouse gases

Researchers from the Innovation in Materials and Molecular Engineering - Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies (IMEM-BRT) research group at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), in collaboration with the R&D team at B. Braun Surgical, have developed a technology based on permanently polarised hydroxyapatite, a ceramic and biocompatible material that acts as a catalyst. Its main innovation lies in capturing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and transforming them into useful chemicals in a more sustainable and cost-efficient way than existing technologies.

Reducing emissions is both an academic challenge and a social necessity. Jordi Sans, researcher from IMEM-BRT explains that this technology “can transform how companies manage gaseous waste, enabling them to reduce their carbon footprint while generating economic value.”