Biocatalytic Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate: From Conventional to Innovative Routes for Transforming Plastic and Textile Waste into Renewable Resources

Damayanti Damayanti (), David Septian Sumanto Marpaung, Abdul Rozak Kodarif, Andri Sanjaya, Desi Riana Saputri, Yunita Fahni, Lutfia Rahmiyati, Putri Zulva Silvia, Dewi Qurrota A’yuni, Calaelma Logys Imalia, Dikri Uzlifah Janah and Ho Shing Wu ()
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Damayanti Damayanti: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
David Septian Sumanto Marpaung: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Abdul Rozak Kodarif: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Andri Sanjaya: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Desi Riana Saputri: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Yunita Fahni: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Lutfia Rahmiyati: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Putri Zulva Silvia: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Dewi Qurrota A’yuni: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Calaelma Logys Imalia: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Dikri Uzlifah Janah: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Way Huwi, Kec. Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan 35365, Lampung, Indonesia
Ho Shing Wu: Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, 135 Yuan-Tung Road, Chung-Li, Taoyuan 32003, Taiwan

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-32

Abstract: The rapid accumulation of plastic and textile waste, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has emerged as a global challenge for sustainable resource management. Conventional recycling methods, including mechanical and chemical routes, recover limited value and often degrade material quality while consuming substantial energy. Biocatalytic recycling, by contrast, offers a resource-efficient alternative that transforms post-consumer PET into high-purity monomers under mild and environmentally benign conditions. This review examines advances in enzymatic PET depolymerization, focusing on hydrolases such as cutinases, PETases, MHETases, and lipases. The discussion highlights enzyme engineering, reactor design, and process integration that improve kinetics, thermostability, and yield. From a resource perspective, biocatalytic recycling redefines PET waste as a renewable carbon feedstock capable of re-entering industrial cycles, thereby reducing reliance on virgin petrochemicals and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, this review positions biocatalytic PET recycling as a cornerstone technology for achieving circularity and advancing global resource sustainability.

Keywords: polyethylene terephthalate; biocatalytic; hydrolases; recycling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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