CO₂ Directly Into Formic Acid: KIST Develops Integrated Process That Halves Production Costs

Add to Google Preferred Sources A joint research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Kookmin University has developed an integrated process that electrochemically converts captured carbon dioxide directly into high-purity formic acid without separate separation, purification, or compression steps. The team fed a triethylamine capture solution directly into a reactor and applied a tin-copper catalyst, converting 94% of the CO₂ into formate and successfully obtaining formic acid with up to 98% purity by weight. Economic analysis shows production costs of approximately $410 per ton—roughly half the current market price—while greenhouse gas impact is about 31% lower than conventional processes. The team is currently conducting pilot-scale projects and aims for commercialization verification within three to five years. The research was selected as the August cover paper for the international journal *Joule*. Key Elements Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Kookmin University Won Da-hye Lee Woong Lee Chan-woo formic acid carbon dioxide Joule triethylamine tin-copper catalyst South Korean researchers have developed an integrated process that electrochemically converts captured carbon dioxide directly into high-purity formic acid (methanoic acid) without requiring separate separation, purification, or compression steps. Formic acid is a substance widely used as a raw material in leather, textile, rubber, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and this technology is being evaluated as having significantly boosted commercialization potential by cutting production costs to nearly half the current market price.