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Scientists are trying to convert waste carbon dioxide into chemicals used in cleaning products.

A “modest” amount of carbon dioxide is being captured from a papermill in Cumbria during a trial this week, according to CPI, a technology innovation hub based in Redcar.

Scientists at the University of Sheffield and CPI will then attempt to convert the gas into materials used for cleaning products.

While several of the processes involved in the trial had been done individually before, it was the first time they were being trialled together, said Graeme Cruickshank, CPI's chief technology and innovation officer.

He added the trial was the first step in determining if waste carbon dioxide could be used in chemical processes to make household goods.

Carbon dioxide is being collected from the Holmen Iggesund Paperboard Mill in Workington.

Reducing emissions

The team is trying to find out if using waste carbon dioxide in this way is a feasible method to replace the use of oil in some chemical manufacturing.

Oil is currently used to make surfactants.

These are chemicals that help to emulsify oils and water - they are widely used in cleaning products.

“The whole notion here is - can we make it from CO2 instead?” said Mr Cruickshank.

Reusing carbon dioxide in this way would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from factories, while at the same time reduce the amount of oil needed for surfactant manufacturing, he said.

The trial would help the team determine if it is economically and technically feasible to do this conversion on a large scale, Mr Cruickshank added.

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