John von Radowitz

A new way of disposing of waste carbon dioxide could reduce the UK's greenhouse gas emissions by 4%, researchers claim.

Scientists at Newcastle University pioneered the technique, which converts CO2 into compounds known as cyclic carbonates.

The team estimates that the process could potentially get rid of 48 million tonnes of waste carbon dioxide per year.

Cyclic carbonates are widely used in the manufacture of solvents, paint-strippers and biodegradable packaging, and are used in the chemical industry.

They can also be used to make "anti-knocking" agents that help petrol burn more efficiently, leading to further reductions in CO2 emissions.

The technique depends on a new highly-active catalyst derived from aluminium.

Professor Michael North, who led the research, said: "If our catalyst could be employed at the source of high-concentration CO2 production, for example in the exhaust stream of a fossil-fuel power station, we could take out the carbon dioxide, turn it into a commercially valuable product and at the same time eliminate the need to store waste CO2."

He compared the process with what happens inside a catalytic converter fitted to a car.

Mr North added: "We estimate that our technology could use up to 18 million tonnes of waste CO2 per year, and a further 30 million tonnes if it is used as an anti-knocking agent."