Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have announced a breakthrough that could reshape both climate change mitigation and plastic waste management. The research team has developed BAETA, a novel material made from recycled PET plastic that captures carbon dioxide with remarkable efficiency.
The innovation, unveiled on September 5 and published in Science Advances, converts discarded PET—the polymer widely used in bottles and textiles—into a powdered sorbent capable of binding CO₂ molecules. Unlike traditional carbon capture methods, the process to create BAETA is energy-efficient, taking place at room temperature and requiring no extreme conditions.
Once saturated, the material can be heated to release the captured carbon dioxide, which can then be stored or reused in other industrial processes. This cyclical function not only makes BAETA reusable but also positions it as a practical candidate for large-scale deployment in power plants, factories, and other industrial settings.
One of BAETA’s key strengths is its durability and adaptability across a broad temperature range, from ambient levels up to about 150 °C. This makes it particularly suitable for capturing CO₂ directly from hot industrial exhaust streams, where conventional materials often struggle. Researchers note that this versatility could expand its application across multiple industries, including energy production, cement manufacturing, and chemical processing.
Lead researcher Margarita Poderyte, a PhD fellow at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Chemistry, emphasized the dual benefits of the discovery. “By turning waste into a raw material that can actively reduce greenhouse gases, we make an environmental issue part of the solution to the climate crisis,” she explained.
Associate Professor Jiwoong Lee, who co-led the study, highlighted BAETA’s resilience in repeated use cycles. “The material maintains its functionality after multiple rounds of capturing and releasing CO₂, which is critical if it is to be scaled for industrial use,” he said.
The research team is now looking to expand production, aiming to scale BAETA from laboratory grams to industrial tons. They are exploring investment opportunities and potential partnerships that could accelerate deployment, with the ultimate goal of integrating the material into carbon capture systems worldwide.
This development comes at a critical time. Global plastic production continues to rise, with billions of PET bottles entering circulation each year, while greenhouse gas emissions remain a central driver of climate change. BAETA addresses both problems simultaneously: it diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans while providing a tool to reduce atmospheric CO₂.
Beyond environmental gains, the innovation holds public health implications. Reducing greenhouse gas concentrations could lessen climate-driven health risks such as heat stress, respiratory diseases linked to poor air quality, and the spread of vector-borne illnesses. In this way, BAETA represents not just an advance in materials science but a step toward healthier, more sustainable communities.
The University of Copenhagen’s discovery is the latest example of how chemistry and environmental science can intersect to deliver solutions with global impact. If successfully scaled, BAETA could help redefine carbon capture by coupling waste reduction with climate action—transforming plastic bottles from a symbol of pollution into a frontline defense against one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
