Denmark | Aarhus University researchers have developed an innovative method to transform discarded rubber gloves into materials capable of capturing carbon dioxide, offering a new solution to both waste management and climate challenges.Each year, more than 100 billion rubber gloves are disposed of globally, with most ending up in landfills or incineration due to their non-recyclable synthetic polymer composition. Scientists at the university’s Department of Chemistry have now demonstrated a way to convert this waste into a functional CO₂-absorbing material.The research team, including postdoctoral scientist Simon Kildahl, successfully modified shredded rubber gloves using a chemical process involving a catalyst and hydrogen. The resulting material can capture carbon dioxide from simulated industrial emissions. When heated, it releases the captured CO₂ for storage or reuse, while regenerating itself for repeated use.This breakthrough builds on previous work by the research group, which has already found ways to recycle difficult materials such as mattress foam and wind turbine components. The new method stands out by turning waste into a climate solution rather than relying on newly produced materials.The innovation aligns with global climate goals, including targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to remove billions of tons of CO₂ annually by 2050. By using existing waste streams instead of producing new materials from fossil resources, the approach could significantly improve the sustainability of carbon capture technologies.Although the research is currently at an early laboratory stage, the results are considered promising. The team is now working on scaling the process and reducing costs to make the technology viable for real-world applications, such as use in power plants.
Source: Aarhus University
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