Global challenges such as rising CO₂ emissions, the finite nature of fossil resources and the transition to renewable energies require new and efficient processes to produce chemicals, e.g. for pharmaceuticals or biofuels. One promising technology for converting CO₂ into chemical products is microbial electrosynthesis (MES). The special feature of MES is its high energy efficiency of over 80 % when converting electricity into chemicals.

The aim of the “CoMet2” project is to develop an electro-biotechnological 200% cell (coupled bio-electrosynthesis). This cell is characterized by the fact that valuable products are generated at both the anode and the cathode. In conventional electrochemical systems, a usable product is usually only produced at one electrode. The team from the fields of microbiology, bioinformatics, electrochemical process engineering and bioprocess engineering is developing an integrated reaction concept. This involves cultivating an artificial co-culture of microorganisms. This consists of two types of microorganisms (methanogens and methanotrophs) that require different conditions (anaerobic and aerobic). Methanogens convert CO₂ into methane. Methanotrophs then convert this methane into valuable chemicals. This conversion would enable a new type of sustainable bioproduction that reduces_CO2 and replaces fossil raw materials.