Plastic Waste Turned into Paracetamol in Sustainable Biotechnology Breakthrough

A groundbreaking study has revealed that a common plastic used in everyday items like water bottles and food packaging can be transformed into paracetamol using engineered microbes—offering a potentially game-changing alternative to fossil fuel-based pharmaceutical production.

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Researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s Wallace Lab have developed a new method that uses genetically reprogrammed E. coli bacteria to convert terephthalic acid—a molecule derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic—into the active ingredient in paracetamol.

The process, carried out via microbial fermentation similar to brewing beer, allows for the transformation of industrial PET waste into the widely used painkiller in under 24 hours. Significantly, the reaction occurs at room temperature and results in virtually no carbon emissions, offering a far more sustainable production method than traditional petrochemical processes.

“This work demonstrates that PET plastic isn’t just waste or a material destined to become more plastic – it can be transformed by microorganisms into valuable new products, including those with potential for treating disease,” said Professor Stephen Wallace, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Chair of Chemical Biotechnology at the University of Edinburgh.

Currently, paracetamol production relies heavily on fossil fuels, including crude oil, with thousands of tonnes consumed annually to support the energy-intensive manufacturing processes. The novel microbial method developed by the Edinburgh team addresses growing concerns around both fossil fuel dependency and plastic waste.

Plastic pollution is a major global issue, with more than 350 million tonnes of PET plastic waste generated each year—much of it ending up in landfills or the ocean. While recycling technologies do exist, most still produce plastic-based materials that eventually contribute to ongoing pollution. The ability to upcycle PET into a life-saving pharmaceutical presents a new and more circular use for this ubiquitous material.

The engineered E. coli converted around 90 per cent of the terephthalic acid into paracetamol in lab trials. While the team notes that further development is required to scale the process for commercial use, the breakthrough has already drawn interest from industry partners.

“We are bringing in exceptional companies like AstraZeneca to work with Stephen and others at the University to translate these cutting-edge discoveries into innovations that can change lives,” said Ian Hatch, Head of Business Development at Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation arm. “Engineering biology offers immense potential to disrupt our reliance on fossil fuels, build a circular economy, and create sustainable chemicals and materials.”

The research, published in Nature Chemistry, was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and biopharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, highlighting the growing commitment of academia and industry to creating green alternatives for traditionally polluting manufacturing processes.

With advanced facilities such as the Edinburgh Genome Foundry for automated DNA assembly, and a strong ecosystem of innovation and commercialisation support, the University of Edinburgh is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of sustainable biomanufacturing.

Read the full article in Nature Chemistry here!