Advancements in carbon capture and utilization technologies: Transforming CO2 into valuable resources for a sustainable carbon economy

The escalating atmospheric CO₂ concentration arising from fossil fuel combustion and industrial activities necessitates immediate mitigation strategies to address global warming and environmental degradation. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies have emerged as a pivotal approach to transforming CO₂ from a greenhouse gas into a valuable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. This review critically examines recent advancements in CO₂ capture techniques—including absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, and mineral carbonation—and their integration with various conversion routes such as thermocatalytic hydrogenation, electrochemical and photocatalytic reduction, and biological fixation. Particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis of methanol, ethanol, methane, syngas, cyclic carbonates, and biofuels, discussing their catalytic systems (Cu-, Ni-, and Ti-based catalysts, metal–organic frameworks, and nanostructured semiconductors), reaction mechanisms, and process efficiencies. The review also evaluates techno-economic feasibility, energy input–output ratios, and net CO₂ reduction potentials, highlighting strategies for coupling renewable hydrogen and solar-driven systems to improve sustainability. Finally, it outlines the current technology readiness levels (TRLs), life-cycle assessment (LCA) outcomes, and research priorities needed to accelerate the industrial implementation of CCU technologies toward a low and circular carbon economy. This review article explores the state-of-the-art advancements in CO 2 capture and its conversion into useful products, with a focus on products like ethanol, acetaldehyde, methane gas, methanol, biofuel, Syngas, and cyclic carbonates. CO 2 capture and conversion into useful products like ethanol, biofuel, acetaldehyde, cyclic carbonates, methanol, and methane represent a promising approach to mitigating climate change, reducing CO 2 emissions, and transitioning toward a sustainable and circular carbon economy. • Explores the state-of-the-art advancements in CO 2 capture and its conversion. • Conversion of CO 2 in ethanol, acetaldehyde, CH 4 , biofuel, Syngas, etc. • Explores different CO 2 capture, storage, and its conversion into useful products. • Contribute towards a sustainable and circular carbon economy.