Break down of discarded polyester into raw material for new plastic and new products developed by Protein Evolution. This technology aims to reduce polyester waste piling up in landfills and incinerators due to the complexity of the material. Protein Evolution is leading the way in transitioning the chemicals industry towards a low-carbon, circular economy by transforming plastic waste management production through its Biopure™ technology. Biopure™ process outputs are indistinguishable from the fossil-fuel-derived molecules used to produce polyester today. These ingredients are terephthalic acid (PTA) and mono-ethylene glycol (MEG), which can be converted into 100% recyclable polyester, a drop-in replacement for oil-derived polyester with a far lower carbon footprint. The technology was developed into three steps. In the pre-processing stage, plastic waste from the environment is collected and prepared for recycling. During biological recycling, AI-designed enzymes are used to convert the pre-processed plastic into reusable raw materials. Lastly, in manufacturing recycled plastic stage, manufacturers use these materials to create 100% recycled plastic for packaging and fashion brands. This sustainable approach prevents waste from entering the environment and provides an eco-friendly alternative, a drop-in replacement to petroleum-based starting materials.
