Tag: muconic acid
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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…
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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…
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Reimagining Waste: Scientists Transform Polystyrene into Nylon Precursors
Turning Waste into Raw Material: A Breakthrough in Polystyrene Upcycling Polystyrene, a ubiquitous plastic found in packaging, insulation and countless consumer products, generates millions of tons of waste each year. Global polystyrene waste is estimated at around 20 million tons annually, with only a small fraction recycled. In this context, a novel collaboration led by…