The Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development Group published in the journal “ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering“ a paper entitled „Efficient Degradation of Consumer-Grade PLA by Commercial Savinase: Optimized Conditions and Molecular Dynamics Insights“. 

Poly(lactic acid) or PLA is the world’s most common bioplastic, with nearly a million tons made in 2024 alone. Although it’s biodegradable and made from renewable resources, PLA still creates a lot of waste if not properly recycled. To tackle this, scientists are exploring biorecycling using enzymes to break down PLA back into useful building blocks.

In this study, researchers found that a commercial enzyme called Savinase, already used in detergents, can efficiently degrade everyday PLA items like disposable cups and 3D printer filaments. Under ideal conditions (warm temperature and slightly alkaline pH), Savinase breaks PLA down into lactic acid, a valuable product that can be reused to make new bioplastics.

Computer simulations helped identify the key parts of the enzyme that interact with PLA, paving the way for even better recycling methods. This work brings us closer to a true circular economy for bioplastics, reducing plastic waste and helping the environment. 

This work resulted from the collaborative project “Bioplastics upcycling loop (BioPolyCycle)” funded by the Alliance of International Science Organizations and it was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Cracow University of Technology, Clausthal University of Technology, and Faculty of Science of the University of Zagreb.