Scientists Develop Super-Enzyme That Breaks Down Plastic in 24 Hours

New enzyme offers solution to plastic pollution crisis

Revolutionary Discovery

Scientists at the University of Texas have created a modified enzyme called FAST-PETase that degrades PET plastic – used in bottles and packaging – in just 24 hours. The process produces raw materials that can be used to make new plastic of the same quality.

The enzyme was developed using machine learning to optimize a naturally occurring protein found in bacteria. The AI-designed modifications increased breakdown speed by 1,000 times compared to natural versions.

How It Works

The enzyme breaks plastic polymers into their original monomers – the building blocks from which plastic is made. These monomers can then be reformed into new plastic without degradation in quality, unlike mechanical recycling.

The process works at room temperature and normal pressure, requiring minimal energy input. This makes it potentially cost-competitive with producing new plastic from petroleum.

Commercial Potential

Several major consumer goods companies have expressed interest in licensing the technology. Coca-Cola and Unilever are in discussions to pilot enzyme recycling at their facilities.

Scaling production of the enzyme remains a challenge, but researchers estimate commercial viability within 3-5 years. Patents have been filed and a startup is being formed to accelerate development.

Environmental Impact

If widely deployed, enzymatic recycling could process the billions of tons of plastic waste accumulating in landfills and oceans. The technology works on plastics too degraded for traditional recycling methods.