Novel efficient enzymatic synthesis of the key-reaction intermediate of PET depolymerization, mono(2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) - MHET.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the main synthetic plastics produced worldwide. The extensive use of this polymer causes several problems due to its low degradability. In this scenario, biocatalysts dawn as an alternative to enhance PET recycling.

Experimental and mathematical modeling approaches for biocatalytic post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolysis.

The environmental impact arising from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste is notable worldwide. Enzymatic PET hydrolysis can provide chemicals that serve as intermediates for value-added product synthesis and savings in the resources. In the present work, some reaction parameters were evaluated on the hydrolysis of post-consumer PET (PC-PET) using a cutinase from Humicola insolens (HiC).