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Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a method to convert used rubber gloves into a material that captures CO₂, addressing the issue of millions of gloves ending up in incineration or landfills annually. Over 100 billion nitrile rubber gloves are produced globally each year, primarily in the healthcare sector.

The researchers have created a chemical process that breaks down the gloves using a ruthenium-based catalyst and hydrogen gas, allowing for CO₂ capture from industrial emissions. This project is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center. Currently at TRL level 3-4, the technology is in the early stages of development, focusing on scalability and cost-effectiveness.