From CO₂ emissions to valorization into high-value biochemicals: Advances, bottlenecks and market trajectories of biotechnologies
Abstract
The valorization of carbon dioxide (CO₂)-rich streams is emerging as a key pillar of a circular, climate-neutral bioeconomy. Biological platforms such as microalgae cultivation, anaerobic fermentation and microbial polymer synthesis can convert CO₂ into high-value products. This review provides an updated synthesis of the state of the art, encompassing bibliometric trends, operational conditions, current technological readiness level (TRL), limitations in technology development, and market perspectives. Using a targeted scientometric analysis of Scopus entries and a critical appraisal of the experimental literature, this manuscript assesses the maturity of each conversion route, identifies the main technical bottlenecks, and highlights pathways for scale-up. From this bibliometric mapping on the valorization of CO 2 and the evaluation of the current situation of the CO 2 sector, the most relevant bio-products derived from CO 2 were identified as alternative proteins from biomass, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The level of maturity of the technologies of each group of processes, their future trends, and their bottlenecks are discussed in this manuscript. • Scientometric analysis assessed the maturity of CO2 valorization biotechnologies. • Proteins, VFAs and PHAs were identified as relevant bioproducts derived from CO 2 • The level of maturity of biotechnologies, their future trends, and bottlenecks are discussed in this manuscript. • Biotechnologies are conditioned by operational, legislative and market issues. • Future progress depends on technical improvements, market and regulatory incentives
Fields of Study & Subjects
Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of CO2 Utilization
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 107
- Pages
- 103413–103413
- Publication date
- 9 April 2026
- Language
- EN