Researchers working for industrial development company Carbios have created a mutant bacterial enzyme that can break down plastic bottles for recycling in only a couple of hours, according to The Guardian.
The enyzme can break down PET plastic bottles into their individual chemical composites, which could later be reused to make brand new bottles. Conventional recycled plastic that goes through a “thermomechanical” process isn’t high enough quality and is mostly used for other products such as clothing and carpets.
Carbios partnered with major industry leaders including Pepsi and L’Oreal to help develop the technology. A scientific paper describing the discovery was published in the prestigious journal Nature today.
The “PET hydrolase” enzyme can break down 90 percent of PET polymers in just ten hours.
