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Plastic glut down a microbial gut
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Researchers reviewed the state of microbial enzyme-based PET depolymerization, finding that engineered PETases can digest amorphous plastic regions under ambient conditions at rates approaching commercial viability, positioning enzymatic recycling as a near-term complement to mechanical and chemical recycling processes.
Abstract Enzymes sequestered from microbes have demonstrated the ability to readily digest amorphous regions of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in ambient conditions. Although nascent, enzymatic depolymerization can soon vie for commercialization and provide monomeric feedstock at rates comparable to petrochemical feedstock for repolymerization, achieving the coveted goal of cradle‐to‐cradle recycling. © 2022 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.