Ian Pegrum (he/him)

The rise of the dinosaurs came after volcanic eruptions led to conditions which wiped out 95% of the species on earth with a global temperature rise of about 7. o. C. The strike of a meteor led to the mass extinction of the dinosaurs and the rise of mammals.

Burning or oxidation remains a method of waste management which deals with the toxicity of the chemicals, however despite energy extraction it is perceived as very wasteful of high value chemicals..Collectively it was felt that there were clear obstacles which slowed the changes and transitions.

From the uncertainty of changing economics, the regulatory systems inhibiting change, and a backlash to sustainability without credible economics..Despite these hurdles, there was agreement in the room that there was a vision across the industry and this was expressed as: -.■ All solvents bio-sourced and head-ache free (safe and compliant).

■ Use minimised.■ Recycling maximised.

Maybe these could be summed up with the joint sentiment that an industry focused on health should not conspire to harm the long-term well-being of society..

So how do we accelerate?.But given that, as of 2019, carbon feedstock equated to 58% of the usage of carbon-based materials like crude oil and other fossil fuels in the industry, it would be a positive step to use carbon capture to reduce the amount required, and therefore begin to lower the carbon footprint of the industrial plastic produced using these methods..

Chemicals such as formaldehyde and potassium carbonate that are used in the production of plastics such as PEEK, POM, PTFE, and PVDF can be produced with captured carbon dioxide instead of fresh carbon feedstock.By reducing the need for carbon feedstock by reusing captured CO. 2. , we will make progress toward a carbon neutral synthesis of industrial plastics..

In line with this, other chemicals, such as methanol and methane, can be replaced by bio-methanol and bio-methane, which are synthesised from biomass and wastewater sources.Using sustainable methods to produce bio-methane and bio-methanol in place of fossil fuel derived versions, helps reduce the total amount of fossil fuels circulating in the industrial plastics industry and, therefore, the extent to which emissions are generated.. A study by Gabrielli et al, investigating the benefits of carbon capture, used the visual below to show how each system works and how the captured carbon is being reused (Figure 1)..