Reverse water-gas shift innovation through DRIFTS: petrochemicals and beyond

A new dawn for carbon utilisation in petrochemicals

Imagine a world where the very emissions once considered a burden have become the foundation for cleaner, more efficient fuels.

The petrochemical industry is on the brink of achieving such a transformation. The landscape is shifting away from decades-old traditional processes that, while profitable, have contributed significantly to global carbon emissions. Instead, growing environmental awareness, stricter regulations and increasing demand for sustainable alternatives have created a defining moment for the industry: continue down the well-worn path of carbon-intensive production, or embrace new technologies that turn CO₂ into an asset rather than a liability. Researchers and engineers have long searched for viable solutions, and recent progress in reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) catalysis and advanced diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) now promises to make that vision a reality.