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In a compost heap at Leipzig’s Südfriedhof cemetery, the enzyme PHL7 was discovered – and now it’s making headlines: it breaks down PET, such as plastic fruit trays, by over 90 % in a record 16 hours – twice as fast as previous enzymes. This PET recycling method can help conserve resources. Biochemists Dr Christian Sonnendecker and Dr Ronny Frank from #UniLeipzig developed the process and a business idea: the company ESTER Biotech.
https://magazin.uni-leipzig.de/en/en-detail-leipziger-universitaetsmagazin/artikel/pet-recycling-biochemists-found-start-up-2025-04-09
Dr Ronny Frank and Dr Christian Sonnendecker in front of a sack filled with shredded PET fruit trays, ready to be broken down into their chemical components with the help of the enzyme PHL7. Photo: Swen Reichhold, Leipzig University

PET Recycling: Biochemists found start-up

The enzyme PHL7 is making headlines – discovered in a compost heap at Leipzig’s Südfriedhof cemetery, it breaks down PET, such as plastic fruit trays from the supermarket, by more than 90 per cent in a record time of just 16 hours.
magazin.uni-leipzig.de
#unileipzig
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