Scientists convert used plastic bottles into vanilla flavouring: Upcycling plastic bottles into more lucrative
materials could make the recycling process far more attractive and
effective. Currently plastics lose about 95% of their value as a
material after a single use. Encouraging better collection and use of
such waste is key to tackling the global plastic pollution problem.

Researchers have already developed mutant enzymes to break down
the polyethylene terephthalate polymer used for drinks bottles into its
basic units, terephthalic acid (TA). Scientists have now used bugs to
convert TA into vanillin.

Vanillin is used
widely in the food and cosmetics industries and is an important bulk
chemical used to make pharmaceuticals, cleaning products and herbicides.
Global demand is growing and in 2018 was 37,000 tonnes, far exceeding
the supply from natural vanilla beans. About 85% of vanillin is
currently synthesised from chemicals derived from fossil fuels.

Scientists convert used plastic bottles into vanilla flavouring: Upcycling plastic bottles into more lucrative
materials could make the recycling process far more attractive and
effective. Currently plastics lose about 95% of their value as a
material after a single use. Encouraging better collection and use of
such waste is key to tackling the global plastic pollution problem.Researchers have already developed mutant enzymes to break down
the polyethylene terephthalate polymer used for drinks bottles into its
basic units, terephthalic acid (TA). Scientists have now used bugs to
convert TA into vanillin.Vanillin is used
widely in the food and cosmetics industries and is an important bulk
chemical used to make pharmaceuticals, cleaning products and herbicides.
Global demand is growing and in 2018 was 37,000 tonnes, far exceeding
the supply from natural vanilla beans. About 85% of vanillin is
currently synthesised from chemicals derived from fossil fuels.Read More