How far are we from the valorization of waste-CO2 to formic acid via electrochemical routes for the applicative scale?

To date, the decarbonization of the world economy and storage and production of energy from alternative C-based sources is considered a relevant topic. The electrochemical conversion of CO2 has been widely investigated since the 1870s as a promising strategy to convert waste-CO2 into value-added chemicals [1,2]. Recently, it was highlighted that, among the several emerging technologies for CO2 conversion to value-added products on an applicative scale, electrochemical technologies are the closest to commercialization due to the numerous start-ups and established companies being invested in this area (e.g., Opus-12, Dioxide Material, and Carbon Recycling International) [3]. These technologies have attracted attention due to some unique advantages (including operating at low temperature, easy scale-up stages, use of excess electric energy from intermittent renewable sources, and small environmental impact). However, to be suitable at an industrial scale, the process should present simultaneously high current densities, faradaic efficiencies close to 100%, high concentrations and long-term stability [4]. The objective of this work is to show how far this technology is from being implemented on an industrial scale and to critically discuss the main strategies to improve the process for the synthesis of formic acid/formate. To conclude, a technical-economic overview will be discussed, highlighting the main factors that affect the scalability of the process on an industrial scale. [1] A.S. Reis Machado et al. Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem. 2018, 11, 86 [2] W. Zhang et al. Adv. Sci. 2018, 5, 1700275. [3] O.S. Bushuyev et al. Joule 2018, 2, 825. [4] F. Proietto et al. Electrochim. Acta 2021, 380, 138753.