Fats from thin air: Startup makes butter using CO2 and water

A Californian startup called Savor, backed by Bill Gates, is using a thermochemical process to create butter-like fat from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of traditional dairy and plant-based alternatives. The company plans to expand its production to include milk, ice-cream, cheese, meat, and tropical oils. Despite the potential to lower carbon footprints, convincing consumers to switch to lab-made fats remains a challenge. Gates hopes to make these products affordable and appealing to the masses. Savor's process, published in Nature Sustainability, is efficient, environmentally friendly, and produces a product that tastes similar to traditional butter. The innovation could have significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water usage associated with traditional agriculture.