Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The industrial chemical synthesis sector consumes a colossal amount of energy. A poignant example of this is the Haber-Bosch process which is the standard method of generating ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. Without ammonia, our fertilisers would be inadequate, and we would not be able to feed our growing global population. The Haber Bosch process is responsible for 1% of the world‚ annual energy consumption and 1.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Finding an energy efficient way to synthesize our most important chemicals and limit greenhouse gas emissions is paramount in the face of climate change.

Enzymes appear to be an obvious answer. Over millions of years nature has evolved highly efficient protein-based catalysts that operate in gentle environments, do not produce toxic by-products, and generate high purity yields. However, many industrially relevant chemical syntheses involve the transfer of electrons to and from the compound of interest. Until Anodyne Chemistries, no-one had worked out how to rapidly supply enzymes with electrons so that they could operate at their optimum rate. This knowledge gap limited the use of enzymes as industrial catalysts because their reaction yield was so low.

Anodyne Chemistries was founded in May 2021 on the basis of a technology that will allow for more energy efficient chemical synthesis using carbon dioxide as a feedstock. We estimate that our process for producing ethene, propene, and methanol from carbon dioxide requires, on average, 40% less energy than the industry standard processes, and uses, rather than emits, carbon dioxide.

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Anodyne Chemistries is a female founded company but its commitment to progressing gender equality doesn‚ t stop with hiring and promoting women. Climate change is a global problem, impacting every facet of everyday life, but reports indicate that it may affect women disproportionately. The International Panel on Climate Change (a part of the United Nations Environment Programme) has discovered that gender inequalities are exaggerated by climate change. Worldwide, it is often women and girls who must take on the burden of gathering food, collecting water, and caring for the sick or elderly. As erratic weather patterns and pollution combine to increase the scarcity of safe food and water supplies, women and girls must then travel further distances to find the same resources. Research shows that climate change has resulted in women having higher workloads, increased occupational hazards, higher levels of psychological and emotional stress when compared to men, and higher mortality rates when compared to men.

Simply having women in leadership positions is not enough to achieve gender equality. To tackle the pervasive nature of gender inequality, it is necessary to actively address its roots. At Anodyne Chemistries, we both understand the importance of dismantling the system of thinking that perpetuates traditional gender roles and upholds the patriarchy, and actively work to create a future where women‚ lives are not made more difficult by climate instability. We do this by using atmospheric carbon dioxide to synthesize society‚ most essential chemicals, potentially turning one of the most emission heavy industries into a carbon negative system.

Anodyne Chemistries recognises that young people‚ voices are often underrepresented in the leadership of the climate movement. To address this, the company believes strongly in hiring and promoting students. This approach allows young people to learn new skills and grow in a supportive and encouraging environment. In such a small company, their voices carry weight. The whole team is involved in decision making processes. As such, there is a strong youth voice within the company and young people are actively involved in determining the direction of this climate positive company. 

Anodyne Chemistries is proud to have a diverse team and firmly believes that only through a collage of perspectives can the most impactful technology be developed.

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