Carbios’ enzyme can biologically depolymerise all PET plastic waste. Credit: spare parts.

French circular economy for plastic solution provider Carbios has developed a novel enzyme, which has the capability to break down plastic for recycling.

The development was described in an article entitled ‘An engineered PET-depolymerase to break down and recycle plastic bottles’ and published in the scientific journal Nature.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

According to scientists at Carbios and the company’s academic partner the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), the enzyme can biologically depolymerise polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste.

Carbios chief scientific officer and co-author of the Nature article Prof Alain Marty said: “I am very proud that Nature, one of the most highly respected scientific journals in the world, has validated the quality of the research led by Carbios and TBI laboratory scientists in developing a PET recycling enzyme and a revolutionary process.

“The results obtained confirm the industrial and commercial potential of the Company’s proprietary process, which will be tested in 2021 in our demonstration plant in the heart of the French Chemical Valley, near Lyon.”

The company’s proprietary process supports a circular economy by also allowing the waste to be converted and recycled into new bottles.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The new technology also enables recycling PET fibres.

The University of Toledo, Ohio professor and Carbios’ Scientific Committee member Dr Saleh Jabarin said: “It’s a real breakthrough in the recycling and manufacturing of PET. Thanks to the innovative technology developed by Carbios, the PET industry will become truly circular, which is the goal for all players in this industry, especially brand-owners, PET producers and our civilisation as a whole.”