Degrading plastic additives through the use of laccase enzymes

Plastic materials are essential to modern life because they are inexpensive, durable, and versatile, but these same properties make plastic waste extremely difficult to recycle. This project focuses on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic widely used in textiles and clothing, which often contains dyes and chemical additives that limit current recycling technologies. The proposed research aims to develop a new environmentally friendly recycling approach using engineered enzymes: one enzyme to break down the plastic polymer and another to remove or transform dyes and additives at the same time. By designing these enzymes to work together in close proximity, the project seeks to improve plastic degradation efficiency without harsh chemical treatments. The research will be carried out using biotechnology tools already established in the host Canadian laboratory, strengthening Canada’s expertise in sustainable materials and green biotechnology. The project will contribute to training highly qualified personnel, support innovation in enzymatic recycling technologies, and align with Canada’s priorities in plastic waste reduction and circular economy development. In the long term, this work may help enable cleaner recycling solutions for plastic textiles, reducing environmental pollution and supporting sustainable industrial practices.

Faculty Supervisor:

Daniela Quaglia;Mircea Alexandru Mateescu

Student:

Partner:

École Nationale Supérieure Matériaux, d'Agroalimentaire et de Chimie

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biotechnology; Biomanufacturing; Sustainability and the Environment

University:

Université du Québec à Montréal

Program: