A game-changing discovery has emerged from an unlikely place — a cemetery compost heap in Leipzig, Germany.
Scientists have identified a powerful enzyme that can break down PET plastic (the kind used in bottles and food packaging) faster and more efficiently than anything seen before. This enzyme, whimsically named PHL7, could help tackle one of our planet’s most pressing environmental issues: plastic pollution.
While other PET-degrading enzymes have been discovered before, PHL7 is in a league of its own. Lab tests showed that PHL7 could decompose PET plastic into its base components within just 16 hours — nearly twice as fast as the previous record-holders.
This means plastic waste can be turned back into its original ingredients and reused to make new plastic products, creating a true closed-loop recycling process.
The magic lies in how PHL7 “chews” through the tough plastic bonds with remarkable speed and efficiency. Scientists were able to analyze its molecular structure and compare it with slower enzymes to identify exactly which parts give PHL7 its power—insights that could allow researchers to enhance it even further.
According to study author Dr. Wolfgang Zimmermann, “This enzyme works significantly faster and more efficiently than similar enzymes. It’s a real breakthrough in plastic biodegradation.”
The potential benefits? Huge. We’re talking about cutting down the billions of tons of plastic polluting our oceans and landfills. If industrialized, this enzyme could make plastic recycling cheaper, faster, and much more sustainable.
Why this matters: Despite global recycling efforts, only about 9% of plastic is ever actually recycled. Enzymes like PHL7 could flip that statistic on its head, turning waste into a resource and helping us fight the global plastic crisis without needing fossil fuels for new plastic production.
Want to dig deeper into the science and the surprising story behind this powerful plastic-eating enzyme? Check out the full article for all the fascinating details!
