September 2025 — In a breakthrough that could reshape both waste management and climate strategy, chemists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new material that transforms discarded plastic into a powerful tool for capturing carbon dioxide.
The innovation centers on PET plastic—commonly found in bottles and textiles—which is chemically restructured into a substance called BAETA. This powdery material binds CO₂ from industrial exhaust with remarkable efficiency, offering a scalable solution for emission-heavy sectors.
Lead researcher Margarita Poderyte describes the process as “upcycling pollution into prevention.” Unlike traditional carbon capture systems, BAETA is made at ambient temperatures and can be reused after heating, making it both sustainable and cost-effective.
The team hopes the technology will be deployed in factories, where chimney emissions can be filtered through BAETA units. Even degraded ocean plastics, often unsuitable for recycling, could become raw material for this climate-positive transformation.
Source: University Of Copenhagen