University of Queensland researchers have developed a new method to produce industrial chemicals with only carbon dioxide (CO₂), water, and electricity. The technology potentially offers a low-emissions alternative to fossil-fuel-based chemical production.

In a statement, the university referred to their electrochemical generator as the first of its kind, offering high‑emissions industries a safer and more environmentally friendly pathway to convert waste CO₂ into useful products, while reducing the need for fossil-fuel‑based chemical manufacturing.

The generator was designed by Professor Xiwang Zhang, Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, and PhD student Rizal Evans from UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering. It’s powered by electricity and requires only water and captured carbon dioxide to create formate, the base compound for formic acid.

Said Professor Zhang, “With basic ingredients and the push of a button, we are able to deliver chemicals that are hugely important for a number of industries. It demonstrates that carbon dioxide can be reused, rather than treated solely as a waste product. There are industries that need formic acid, and others that have large amounts of CO₂ they want to manage.  This technology creates an opportunity to connect those 2 challenges.”

Formic acid is commonly used in agriculture, leather tanning, rubber manufacturing, and other industrial processes. Australia currently imports almost all of its formic acid, leaving local industry vulnerable to external supply disruptions.

The generator was designed to be modular, allowing it to be scaled up or down depending on industry needs.  This means that instead of transporting and storing large volumes of formic acid, it can be produced where it is needed.

“That has implications for safety, supply security and emissions, particularly for industries that already produce CO₂ as part of their operations,”  said Dr Tebyetekerwa.

Potential applications range from agriculture and livestock production to resource and energy sectors.

The technology is still in the testing phase, and is not quite ready for commercial use. The University says field trials with industry partners will be required to assess how the generator performs under real‑world conditions and how it might be adapted to different industrial settings.