Process optimization for enhanced enzymatic nylon deconstruction

Abstract

Plastics such as polyamides (PAs) possess unique physicochemical properties that make them indispensable in modern society. However, their energy-intensive production and challenging end-of-life management highlight the urgent need for efficient recycling or remanufacturing solutions. Enzymatic depolymerization offers a promising route toward circular recycling, yet remains constrained by limited enzyme characterization, lack of validation under industrially relevant conditions, and overall performance. Here we optimized the reaction conditions for three recently discovered nylon-degrading enzymes. One of them, Nyl12, achieved product titers with PA6 and PA66 that exceed previously reported values, without enzyme engineering or substrate pretreatment. We further demonstrated the scalability of the process and its application to complex PA-based materials used in microelectronic components. Analysis of substrate features, including surface area and particle size, revealed key parameters governing enzymatic activity and provided a framework for future pretreatment and process optimization efforts. In combination, these efforts provide a new benchmark for enzymatic nylon recycling.