Scrubbing CO2 from Biogas using Adsorbents Derived from Recycled Plastic Bottles and Aluminum Cans

Program: ECT-NB 
Priority research theme: Carbon Capture and Utilization
Awarded: Winter 2026

Overview

Atlantic Canada’s push toward a bioeconomy has sparked growing interest in biogas production from biomass waste, with over 50,000 cubic meters produced daily in NB by nine facilities. Composed primarily of methane (CH4) (50-70%), biogas can be burned for heat/power or upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) (90-99% CH4) by removing CO2 (up to 30-50% of biogas) and impurities.

Upgrading boosts heating value by eliminating CO2, which otherwise absorbs heat during combustion, enabling sales to natural gas pipelines.[3] Recently, metal-organic framework materials, such as MIL-53(Al), have been demonstrated to be suitable adsorbents for CO2 capture. The production of these materials is expensive and unsustainable, as they consume virgin reagents. Our mission is to ‘close the loop’ by producing these adsorbent materials from upcycled waste materials – beverage containers.

Prior Art: Over the past 2 years, our team has developed a novel process for upcycling waste aluminum (including cans) into hydrogen gas and a value-added aluminum products (aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide).

Opportunity: As a result of our recent ECT project 300-700-047, we have identified a path produce MIL-53(Al) using the byproduct streams of our aluminum digestion process, along with terephthalic acid – a product of chemically recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET – pop bottle plastic). With our experience recycling Al and PET, we are well-positioned to develop a process for producing MIL-53(Al) entirely from recycled materials.

Objectives: Our mission is to design a scalable process for producing MIL-53(Al) from recycled Al and PET beverage containers. With the produced MIL-53(Al), we will purify biogas and demonstrate capacity to capture CO2.

Outcomes: We aim to synthesize up to 250 g of MIL-53(Al) from upcycled Al and PET using a unique, patentable method reaching TRL5. As a made-in-NB technology, we expect this project to have a significant impact on all NBers, particularly farmers exploring biogas generation.