Carbon Management: Conversion of CO2 into Plastics

Statement of the problem or situation that is being addressed in your application. Over 367 MMt of plastics were produced in 2020 and the vast majority were produced from fossil resources. However fossil fuel depletion and the push for a more circular economy are incentivizing industry to find sustainable alternatives to produce chemicals and plastics. Given the scale of plastic production and the nearly complete reliance on fossil resources, there is a significant opportunity to impact carbon emissions by converting CO2 into plastics. General statement of how this problem is being addressed. Triton Systems, Inc. and its team propose to develop a novel, metal-free, continuous flow manufacturing process to produce thermoplastic elastomers from direct and indirect utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2). These materials will be cost competitive and maintain the mechanical properties of current medical elastomers while offering a sustainable and economical alternative to fossil-fuel derived thermoplastic elastomers. What is to be done in Phase I? In Phase I, we will i) develop thermoplastic elastomers directly incorporating a significant percentage of CO2 with the balance from bio-derived sources, ii) design materials that have comparable mechanical properties to current medical elastomers, and iii) conduct preliminary LCA/TEA for the manufacturing process to ensure sustainability. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits (limited to the space provided). Upon success of the program, Triton Systems Inc. will have created sustainably sourced elastomers that can replace current petroleum-sourced products. By utilizing CO2 as a carbon source for these materials there is a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions by converting CO2 into plastics and concurrently reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.