Enzyme breakthrough cuts plastic recycling energy use by 65%

Scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), University of Massachusetts Lowell, and University of Portsmouth have developed a breakthrough enzymatic recycling process for PET plastic that significantly reduces environmental impact and costs. By substituting sodium hydroxide with ammonium hydroxide, the team created a self-sustaining closed-loop system that cuts chemical use by 99%, energy consumption by 65%, and operating costs by nearly 75%. This innovation allows enzymatic recycling to outperform traditional plastic production both environmentally and economically, with recycled PET costing $1.51 per kilo versus $1.87 for virgin plastic. The new method overcomes previous challenges in enzymatic recycling, which struggled with high costs and environmental drawbacks despite its ability to break down complex PET waste types that mechanical recycling cannot process. Ammonium hydroxide maintains optimal pH and regenerates itself during the process, reducing the need for fresh chemicals. Additional improvements in plastic pre-treatment and ethylene glycol recovery further enhance efficiency, enabling complete depolymerization