The Swiss company Mibelle Group, together with partners LanzaTech (USA) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB (Germany), has achieved a breakthrough in sustainable materials: the development of a palm-oil-free fat derived from CO₂. This innovation could play a significant role in reducing reliance on palm oil, a raw material often criticized for its ecological and social impacts.
Palm oil is widely used in food production, biofuels, and cosmetics because of its durability and heat resistance. However, even certified sustainable palm oil cannot keep up with growing global demand. The new CO₂-based fat mimics the composition of palm oil but avoids the need for agricultural land and valuable natural resources.
The process relies on a two-step Power-to-X pathway. In the first stage, LanzaTech’s gas fermentation technology converts CO₂ into alcohol, similar to brewing beer. In the second stage, oil-producing yeasts transform this alcohol into fats, based largely on research from Fraunhofer IGB. The result is a novel fat mixture that can be manufactured at scale, with production now starting at the kilogram level.
Peter Müller, CEO of Mibelle, describes the project as “a milestone for the cosmetics industry” and emphasizes its potential to strengthen supply chain resilience while contributing to climate responsibility. Beyond cosmetics, the innovation could open opportunities in other industries seeking sustainable fat alternatives.
This development is another example of how Power-to-X technologies can turn greenhouse gases into valuable resources, providing solutions for both climate protection and industrial innovation.
Source: Punkt4.info – Mibelle entwickelt mit Partnern palmölfreies Fett aus CO₂