Japanese engineering firm JGC is betting on bacteria that consume carbon dioxide to produce bioplastics. The approach aims to turn industrial CO2 emissions into a feedstock for biodegradable materials, potentially reducing reliance on fossil-based plastics. JGC is partnering with a biotech startup to scale the process from lab to commercial production. The technology uses microbes that metabolize CO2 and convert it into polymers, which can then be processed into plastic pellets. If the economics work at scale, this could create a new carbon utilization pathway for hard-to-abate industrial sectors. The article covers the pilot timeline, cost challenges, and JGC's broader strategy in green chemicals. For carbon markets and climate finance watchers, this is a concrete example of industrial decarbonization through biology rather than capture-and-store. The main open question is whether the per-ton cost of CO2-derived bioplastics can compete with conventional plastics without subsidies or a carbon price.
