Researchers from Exxon Mobil and Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new technology that can significantly reduce costs and carbon emissions in the production of plastics. The new system, which is still in development, is 50 times more energy efficient and can reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 45 million tons over the world, which is equivalent to the emissions of 5 million US homes. At the same time, industry could save $ 2 billion a year.

 Scientists from the University of Exxon and Georgia Tech have published on Thursday joint conclusions in a prominent scientific journal Science. They essentially have developed a membrane based on carbon, which can separate molecules, as small as a nanometer. The new system can be operated at room temperature. “In essence, we used a filter with microscopic holes to make that huge amounts of heat and energy are currently doing in the chemical process,” – said in a statement, Mike Kirby, strategic corporate research manager for Exxon Mobil.

 Exxon and Georgia Tech have warned that additional testing is necessary even in more difficult conditions. Nevertheless, the results are quite promising as evidenced by Exxon invest in technology for large-scale implementation. Exxon Mobil Chemical will invest several billion dollars to increase the production of ethylene and polyethylene plant at its Mont Belvieu Baytown and east of Houston. The project represents the first major expansion of Exxon Mobil Chemical in the US for a period of more than 15 years.