Tag: bio-upcycling
-
Reimagining Waste as a Resource: Turning Polystyrene into Nylon Precursors
Turning a stubborn plastic into a valuable feedstock Waste plastics come in many forms, but not all are easy to recycle. Polystyrene, particularly in its extruded foamed form known as Styrofoam, has long posed a recycling challenge. At Saarland University, a multidisciplinary team led by biotechnologist Christoph Wittmann has turned a stubborn problem into a…
-
Reimagining Waste as a Resource: Scientists Transform Polystyrene into Nylon Precursors
Turning Waste into Wealth: The Polystyrene Challenge Polystyrene waste is a global problem, with about 20 million tons generated each year and only a small fraction currently recycled. Known best in its extruded foamed form as Styrofoam, this plastic has long challenged traditional recycling methods. Now, researchers at Saarland University are reframing the narrative: what…