Modular Nano-Scaffold Biocatalysis for Superior PET Depolymerization and Valorization

Abstract

The global crisis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste demands innovative solutions for sustainable management. Current approaches are often inefficient, energy-intensive, and result in incomplete depolymerization. Here, we introduce SPEED (Scaffold-enabled PET Enzyme Ensemble-augmented Degradation), a transformative biocatalytic platform engineered for the superior degradation across diverse PET substrates. Through the strategic combination of complementary PET hydrolases on a tailored protein nano-scaffold and extensive optimization, SPEED achieves near-complete depolymerization of PET into its constituent monomers, exceeding existing biocatalytic systems' efficiency by up to two orders of magnitude. The platform's versatility and industrial relevance are further demonstrated through successful integration with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for enhanced stability and reusability, enabling PET upcycling into valuable products, and its compatibility with a yeast-based live cell system for surface display. SPEED's high efficiency, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness position it as a powerful technology to accelerate sustainable plastic waste management and drive a circular PET economy.