Despite its bad reputation as a greenhouse gas and pollutant, carbon dioxide can be viewed as a renewable, non-toxic and cheap feedstock for chemical synthesis. The chemical utilization of CO2 not only could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also saves the fossil fuels resources. In this work, the chemical conversions relevant to large-scale utilization of CO2 including use of CO2 as an oxidant, conversion of CO2 to energy materials and synthesis of CO2-based polymers are reviewed with emphasis on catalysis and reaction engineering as well as technology readiness and processes. Environmental metrics such as atom economy, life cycle analysis and exergy efficiency are also considered. A circular economy based on CO2 is possible if renewable energies, catalyst development and separation technologies are integrated and further developed. (C) 2020 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.