EU WaterProof Converts CO2 to Formic Acid
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Apr 14, 2026 · Last updated Apr 28, 2026
The WaterProof initiative, coordinated by Avantium and involving HVC, presents a positive market impact by transforming CO2 emissions into valuable products like Formic acid and recovering critical materials. This innovation could reduce reliance on fossil feedstocks, create new revenue streams for waste management, and support the European Union's circular economy goals, potentially boosting companies involved in sustainable chemical production and waste-to-resource technologies.
The EU-funded WaterProof initiative, coordinated by Avantium and involving HVC, is developing a groundbreaking electrochemical process to capture Carbon dioxide from urban waste incineration and wastewater treatment. This captured Carbon dioxide is then converted into Formic acid, a versatile chemical used in various industries, including cleaning products and leather tanning. The project aims to create a circular economy by turning urban carbon pollution into a resource, reducing reliance on fossil feedstocks. Additionally, the initiative explores using Formic acid to recover valuable materials like Copper, Galan Lithium, Cobalt, and Gold from waste streams. The team, including Annelie Jongerius and Jan Peter Born, plans to demonstrate a large-scale pilot unit by summer 2026, paving the way for commercial-scale plants and supporting the European Union's ambition for circular production by 2030.
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