In March 2024, scientists from Stanford and Singapore presented the world’s first bioplastic synthesized directly from carbon dioxide and water using genetically modified bacteria. The process mimics photosynthesis, but instead of sugar, it produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) – a fully biodegradable plastic that decomposes in soil within six weeks.
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The bacteria, dubbed “CarboEaters,” were engineered using CRISPR-Cas12d, which allowed them to incorporate a “factory” for assembling polymer chains into their DNA. They operate in photobioreactors under sunlight, consuming CO₂ from the atmosphere. One cubic meter of reactor captures 2 tons of CO₂ per year and produces 1.5 tons of plastic.
The plastic has all the properties of traditional polypropylene: it is strong, flexible, and heat-resistant. But it’s also non-toxic, edible to microorganisms, and can even be used in medicine for absorbable sutures. It’s already used in IKEA packaging and L’Oréal cosmetics.
Scaling is progressing rapidly. The first industrial plant with a capacity of 10,000 tons per year has been built in Dubai. It’s powered by solar energy and removes CO₂ from the air through direct capture. The cost is $1.20 per kilogram, comparable to petroleum-based plastic.
The most revolutionary aspect is its recycling. Packaging made from this plastic can be buried in the garden—after a month, only water, CO₂, and humus will remain. And if thrown into the ocean, it will decompose in 12 weeks without harming the ecosystem.
