Thermophilic Bacterium Achieves Breakthrough in Plastic Recycling with High Conversion Rate

A research team has unveiled a groundbreaking solution for PET depolymerization , leveraging an engineered whole-cell biocatalyst derived from the thermophilic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum.

Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study reveals a remarkable 96.7% PET conversion rate, offering an innovative approach to tackling plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy.

PET, a widely used plastic derived from fossil fuels, presents a major environmental challenge due to its slow degradation in landfills. Advancing PET’s circular use is crucial for reducing reliance on petroleum, lowering carbon emissions, and mitigating plastic waste.

In contrast to traditional research focused on developing PET-degrading enzymes, this study highlights the potential of whole-cell biocatalysis. The approach offers key benefits, such as in situ enzyme production, simplified workflows, and heightened efficiency for large-scale plastic recycling.

Building on earlier work published in Microbial Biotechnology, where the team first demonstrated whole-cell PET depolymerization, the current research showcases the engineered C. thermocellum expressing leaf compost cutinase (LCC) for high-temperature PET breakdown, further advancing the potential for scalable recycling solutions.