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A sign of the times:
The plastics manufacturer Covestro is developing climate-friendly technologies in the Dormagen Chemical Park.
With a special catalyst, it converts CO₂ into foam.
Photo: PR
Some ideas in the fight against climate change appear absurd at first glance.
Covestro, for example, has socks knitted from carbon dioxide.
Here's how it works: Together with RWTH Aachen University, research at the Dormagen site developed a catalyst.
With its help, an ingredient in the plastic polyurethane can be produced from the carbon in the CO₂ in such a way that fewer fossil raw materials are required - in a process that was initially called "Dream Production".
An archaic dream of mankind comes true in the stainless steel kettles - dirt becomes gold, the harmful climate gas becomes foam.
Already today for mattresses or swinging floor coverings.
Lots of other applications are conceivable: in the automotive, construction and consumer goods industries, for example.
In a test facility at RWTH Aachen University, so many yarns have already been spun from the CO₂ material that the trousers specialist Falke was able to manufacture stockings from them.
Initially only as a prototype.
The presentation of the "green" socks in a television show was so successful that the first companies showed interest.
After all, the stretchable material is ideal for functional clothing.
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