= Carbon dioxide utilization
<Carbon dioxide utilization> uses captured <carbon dioxide> as a feedstock or working material. Chemical conversion can produce fuels and other compounds; mineralization can incorporate carbon into inorganic materials. These routes differ in their <energy> requirements and in how long the carbon remains out of the atmosphere.<CO2 Utilization by the United States Department of Energy>[CO2 feedstocks, reduction intermediates and energy inputs]{ref}<Carbon Conversion by the United States Department of Energy>[Mineralization pathways]{ref}
Reducing <carbon dioxide> to an energy-rich fuel requires an external energy supply. Burning that fuel later can return the carbon to the atmosphere, so utilization is not automatically permanent <carbon capture and storage>. A <life-cycle assessment> must compare the whole process with a stated alternative, including energy generation, capture, conversion and product use.
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