Where has all the carbon gone?

Your web site says you “transform waste carbon dioxide into valuable materials” used in products such as running shoes, furniture, and mattresses. How does this work?

Econic does not actually capture carbon. Other companies offer that technology – for example, capturing carbon released in emissions from factories and power plants.

We specialize in what happens next: carbon utilization.

Today, nearly all manufactured plastic products already contain carbon derived from fossil-based inputs such as natural gas and petroleum. Refining those inputs involves chemical reactions and combustion that release carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.

Econic has developed an industrial process for taking carbon that has already been captured and using it in products including footwear and other materials. So, if your company makes running shoes that require inputs made of plastic, our process lets you use carbon that’s already been captured, instead of using new fossil-based materials that would contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Does carbon enhance the performance of shoes and other products?

When formulated correctly, products made with captured carbon do perform better. At the same time, captured carbon costs less than the raw materials it replaces. So, it is possible to make higher- performing, more sustainable products that cost less.      

What’s your business model?

We license a proprietary process and sell a catalyst that companies use as part of that process. Our direct customers are manufacturers who make ingredients called polyols, a precursor ingredient in foams for mattresses, furniture, and footwear. We engage with major mattress and furniture companies, helping them develop comfortable mattress foams that work as well as — or better than — their existing products. Our technology will also be used in laundry detergent and household cleaners.

Can you calculate how much your technology has reduced greenhouse gas emissions?

When used in polyols, our technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%. It can accurately tailor how much CO₂ is utilized in the polyol. The more CO₂ used, the better the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the traditional materials.  

We also see significant emissions reductions when our technology is used in surfactants, an ingredient in household cleaning products. Results from an independent Life Cycle Assessment are still pending, but we estimate that full market adoption of our technology would prevent 10 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to planting 160 million trees.

Shoes and other products eventually wear out. Does the carbon finally get released when they’re thrown away?

When products wear out, recycling is the best option because the materials can continue to be useful and the carbon stays trapped inside. If the products are incinerated (without carbon capture), then carbon is released. That’s one reason why many companies are working with each other, and with governments, to build more recycling systems. Econic is committed to engaging with the development of these processes and helping wherever possible.

Smart manufacturing is typically understood to involve the use of data to make production processes more efficient. Does Econic use data in its technologies?

Leveraging data for predictive analytics, operational optimization, and efficiency are the cornerstones of smart manufacturing. Econic’s approach integrates data-driven methodologies in manufacturing and in the development of new molecules. While specifics vary, our utilization of data aims to enhance process insight, streamline operations, and drive sustainable outcomes.