Chemical manufacturing is responsible for 10% of global energy consumption and 30% of industrial energy demand. This results in 20% of all industrial greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the world’s most polluting economic sectors.To counter that, a Texas-based Startup called Solugen developed a method that could decarbonize a massive chunk of the petrochemical industry.
Using gene editing technology, the company managed to develop a process that can make thousands of tons of chemicals without relying on petroleum. The chemical industry helped to subsidize its development and will likely support Solugen as it embarks on a mission to decarbonize the chemical industry.
As the world begins to confront the effects of global climate change, initiatives like this one are exactly what we need to ensure that the world is not irrevocably and catastrophically changed by human activity!
