Efficient Degradation of Consumer-Grade PLA by Commercial Savinase: Optimized Conditions and Molecular Dynamics Insights.

ABSTRACT: Poly-(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most widely produced biopolymer globally, with 920,000 tons reaching the market in 2024. Although it is a biobased polymer and biodegradable, it currently poses a threat by generating a considerable waste stream in the environment unless its end-of-life options are further developed. Biorecycling of PLA is a promising solution and is critical for PLA to be a truly sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, further enabling the (bio)-plastics circular economy. This work investigates the repurposing of commercial Savinase 12T preparation, already produced on a large scale for the detergent industry, for the degradation of consumer-grade PLA. Savinase-degraded postconsumer PLA single-use cups at a rate of 166 mg·day^-1·mg enzyme^-1 fo

SUBMITTER: Nenadovic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12188634 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature