Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a new type of plastic that can be infinitely recycled, offering a solution to the world’s pollution problem.
They used engineered microbes to produce sustainable alternatives to the 90% of plastics that currently cannot be recycled and rely on polluting petrochemicals as their base. This new plastic, called polydiketoenamine or PDK, can be repeatedly broken down into its original building blocks without any loss in quality, making it highly recyclable.
The researchers have successfully integrated bio-based ingredients into PDK for the first time, providing material properties and cost advantages over traditional petrochemical-based plastics. This breakthrough could pave the way for more eco-friendly and circular materials in various products, from adhesives to automotive parts.
The development of PDK plastics made from renewable sources could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to solving the plastic waste problem.