Enzymes to hydrolyze bio-based PEF

Chemists and process engineers of Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg together with researchers at Universität Greifswald are using enzymes to hydrolyze bio-based PEF, which is a valuable alternative to fossil-based PET.

Polymers are used for a wide range of applications, whereby the use depends on the respective material properties. In addition, the vast majority of polymers are still generated from fossil raw materials, with all the associated problems from production to waste disposal.

A 100% bio-based alternative from renewable resources is polyethylene furanoate (PEF) with similar properties to the classic polymer PET, although PET is typically obtained from non-sustainable raw materials. Despite the uncritical origin of PEF, recycling strategies must nevertheless be still developed in the sense of a circular bioeconomy. Enzymatic reaction concepts are suitable for this purpose, which can break down the PEF polymer under mild conditions and feed it towards recycling strategies.

The research groups of Prof. Jan von Langermann and Prof. Christof Hamel (OvGU), together with Prof. Uwe Bornscheuer & Dr. Ren Wei from Universität Greifswald and Prof. Julian Thiele (OvGU), are investigating potential enzymes and their respective product spectra during PEF decomposition, thus controlling all hydrolysis intermediates towards the final building blocks 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and ethylene glycol (EG). This allows a deeper kinetic analysis of the hydrolysis of PEF to intermediates and FDCA in further studies. These research results were also highlighted as a cover picture of the scientific journal RSC Sustainability.

📌 Read the full article here: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/su/d4su00722k

#enzyme #biocatalysis #polymer #plastics #depolymerization#reactionengineering #greenchemistry #selectivity #processcontrol

Jan von Langermann
Christof Hamel
Uwe Bornscheuer
Ren Wei
Julian Thiele
Tobias Heinks
Lennard Zimmermann
Alexandra Lieb
Luise Blach