Fig. 2

Schematic of the operation of C. necator for optimal sustainable production. Autotrophic metabolism, including growth on CO₂/H₂ and on formate, should be prioritised to make this technology sustainable. Similarly, sugar feedstocks like fructose should be avoided. Eliminating PHB production will allow carbon to be diverted toward production of chemicals of interest. PHB poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, SH soluble hydrogenase, MBH membrane-bound hydrogenase, FDH formate dehydrogenase, CA carbonic anhydrase-like enzymes