Scientists to tackle CO2 with novel fish-based biochar material

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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers from several European institutions are developing a novel carbon capture material made from fish waste, aiming to transform aquaculture by-products into a tool for capturing and converting CO₂ emissions

🔭 The context: The project, called AERO2cycle, is led by NOVA.ID.FCT and funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology
• Scientists are creating ultra-light hybrid aerogels combining biochar derived from fish scales, bones and skin with CO₂-reactive polymers
• The consortium also includes researchers from the University of Évora, University of Santiago de Compostela and Universitat Jaume I

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If scalable, the technology could capture carbon emissions while recycling biological waste, creating a circular approach that reduces industrial CO₂ and repurposes aquaculture by-products
• Such innovations could support decarbonization in heavy industries like cement, energy production and waste-to-energy facilities

⏭️ What’s next: The research team will now test and optimize the system beyond laboratory conditions and explore industrial deployment
• The captured CO₂ could potentially be converted into valuable chemicals for cosmetics, sustainable polymers and energy storage materials, opening new circular carbon value chains

💬 One quote: The project aims to create materials capable of “capturing and converting carbon dioxide” using biochar derived from fish industry waste

📈 One stat: The hybrid aerogel materials are currently validated at laboratory scale, with further industrial testing planned

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