The American startup captures CO2 emissions from other companies to produce vodka in a new method, helping to save water and protect the environment.
American company Air Company produces vodka from CO2 gas, contributing to a "greener" future, CNBC reported on May 16. This is one of many new products designed to take advantage of CO5 emissions from many different industries.
“We work with partners to capture CO2 before it enters the atmosphere, then use this CO2 in the winemaking process,” said Gregory Constantine, co-founder and CEO of Air Company. In addition to vodka, Air Company also produces perfume and hand sanitizer from exhaust gas.
Distilling alcohol the old way not only creates emissions but also uses a lot of water – about 35 liters of water to make one liter of distillate. Meanwhile, Air vodka is made from only two ingredients: CO2 and water. The process involves separating hydrogen from water through electrolysis, releasing oxygen. The hydrogen is then fed into the “carbon conversion reactor” system along with CO2. This process produces ethanol, which when combined with water becomes vodka.
The new method from Air Company's lab is very good for the environment, but the resulting product is not cheap. Its vodka costs about 65 USD a bottle. At Manhattan's Bathtub Gin bar, this vodka is receiving rave reviews.
Carbon capture is quickly becoming a big industry as companies seek not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to keep remaining emissions out of the atmosphere. Captured carbon is being used to produce a wide range of goods, from vodka to eyeglasses, laundry detergent, soft drinks, even jet fuel.
Air Company won’t stop at vodka and perfume. Constantine plans to offer new CO2-based products when the company opens its third production facility. “For us, vodka is a gateway to other products, and then to industrial applications where our technology can be useful,” he said.
According to VnExpress