Methane is lower cost than other raw materials like oil. That is why there is an opportunity to make chemicals cheaper, and also greener. The microbe itself it the catalyst - actually the enzymes inside do the work.
A decentralized process would let you use all the stranded natural gas that is currently flared. It's a big challenge though.
Sure, but existing chemical companies already use methane as a feedstock.
It would be more interesting if you could rescue the flared natural gas in a place like North Dakota where they're currently not using it and/or reinjecting it into wells to maintain pressure.
A decentralized process would let you use all the stranded natural gas that is currently flared. It's a big challenge though.