The relevance of ethics in the development of enzymatic plastic recycling approaches
Author: Katrin Weinhandl, acib GmbH What does the topic of ethics have to do with research on enzymatic plastics recycling? Ethical considerations play an important role in any research approach that conforms to the concept of responsible research and innovation (RRI). Wikipedia explains RRI as a term that “describes scientific research and technological development processes […]
ENZYCLE News No 5
Our newsletter issue No 5 from December 2022 is now available! Enjoy reading about our highlights from the past 6 months. Not yet subscribed? Get our news directly in your mailbox here.
Harnessing new polymer-degrading enzymes directly from nature
Authors: Kristie Tanner, Darwin & Christian Sonnendecker, University of Leipzig Microorganisms can be found inhabiting even the most remote and extreme locations of our planet. Their extraordinary array of metabolic routes coupled with their rapid doubling time and high evolution rate, make them capable of adapting to almost any environment. For example, if an environment […]
The landscape of enzymatic plastic recycling projects in Europe
Author: Katrin Weinhandl, ACIB Over the last twenty years, plastic has become one of the most important materials in various industrial sectors. Plastic consumption is increasing rapidly. The other side of the coin, however, is growing mountains of plastic waste and polluted oceans. Experts agree that we need to do more to improve plastic recycling […]
Enzymes for industrial recycling processes
Author: Arno Cordes, ASA Spezialenzyme GmbH Since more than 70 years enzymes are used in different industrial areas as detergents, food and feed, textile and paper processing. Mainly employed enzymes are proteases, amylases, pectinases, cellulases and hemicellulases. The worldwide turnover for technical enzymes was estimated to be around 10 billion USD in 2020. Beside these […]
The environmental and economic impact of enzymatic plastic recycling
scCO2- a Natural Advantage in Plastic Degradation
Author: Daniela Trambitas, FeyeCon D&I BV Over the years, fueled by market demand, plastic materials have reached unparalleled performance. Properties like durability, efficiency and stability have made them very reliable. Consequently, they have become part of our daily lives, as well as part of the ecosystems around us. From a sustainable product, plastic material (generically […]
An industrial view on the suitability of enzymatic plastic recycling
Enzymatic plastic recycling is the overall goal of the ENZYCLE project but it’s not only about identifying appropriate enzymes and setting up an efficient process. In the end, the process should suit to industrial demands and we want to make sure that our technologies are going to be implemented. Indorama is a large company partner […]
How to assess the life cycle for ENZYCLE
Author: Carla Bartolomé, ITENE As part of the transition to a more circular economy, where the value of products, materials and resources is retained in the economy for as long as possible, and where waste generation is minimised, the European Commission has focused on improving the current management of packaging waste due to its high […]
Stable or degradable? – Plastic recycling for packaging industry
Authors: Stephan Laske, Greiner Packaging and Katrin Weinhandl, acib GmbH Plastic materials were a meaningful achievement of the 20th century and have become an indispensable part of life. However, we are also aware of the huge mountains of plastic waste all over the world. To save our planet, mankind is looking for alternative strategies. The […]
