Apr 11 2020: New Enzyme Breaks Down Plastic In Hours And Enables High-Quality Recycling

Back in Apr 11 2020: New Enzyme Breaks Down Plastic In Hours And Enables High-Quality Recycling

Scientists have developed a mutant bacterial enzyme that can break down plastic bottles within hours. The leftover material can then be recycled into high-quality new bottles. The French company behind the discovery, Carbios, aims to achieve industrial-scale recycling within five years.

Major companies including Pepsi, Nestle, and L'Oréal have partnered with Carbios to advance research and development. This development is significant because it addresses the problem of plastic waste and inefficient recycling, which can take up to 1,000 years to decompose and release toxins into the environment.

Fast forward to Nov 28 2023: The T-shirt chewing enzyme ready to tackle plastic waste

Scientists have developed an enzyme called LCCICCG that can efficiently break down PET plastic into its constituent monomers, which can then be used to create new plastic. This breakthrough could help in solving the plastic waste problem by enabling the recycling and reusing of plastic materials.

The enzyme has been re-engineered over eight years and is now being used in a demonstration plant in France. This technology offers hope for a more sustainable approach to plastic production and waste management.

How can enzymes be used to break down plastics and create new ones, potentially reducing plastic waste and environmental pollution?