Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 Plastic Degradation for Polymer Recycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rapid increase in plastic waste and low recycling rates pose significant environmental and ecological threats, necessitating the development of effective plastic-degrading microbes.

Innovation Solution

The isolation and utilization of the Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 strain, which exhibits plastic-degrading activity, capable of degrading various plastics into low-molecular weight intermediates through microbial metabolic pathways, including the production and secretion of plastic-degrading enzymes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional plastic disposal methods (landfill, illegal dumping, incineration) are used, then plastic waste is disposed of, but environmental pollution increases and ecosystem threats worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplastic waste disposalVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical disposal methods (landfill, incineration) with a biological system using Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 bacteria that naturally degrade plastic polymers into smaller molecules through enzymatic action, thereby eliminating environmental pollution associated with conventional disposal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of plastic waste by using microbial enzymes to break down high-molecular-weight polymers into low-molecular-weight compounds, transforming the physical and chemical state of the waste material from indigestible polymer chains to metabolizable molecules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If plastic production continues to increase, then economic benefits are achieved, but plastic waste accumulation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplastic productionVSAvoidplastic waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful accumulation of plastic waste into a beneficial process by using bacteria that metabolize plastic polymers as a carbon source, transforming the waste problem into a resource utilization solution where plastic waste becomes food for microbial growth and energy production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic recycling rate is increased, then environmental protection is improved, but current recycling infrastructure proves insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidrecycling infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables self-service plastic degradation through the Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 bacteria that autonomously metabolize various plastic types without requiring complex mechanical sorting, cleaning, or processing infrastructure, simply needing the plastic substrate and appropriate environmental conditions to function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 strain effectively degrades plastics such as PET, PVC, PS, PP, and PE into reusable low-molecular weight substances, facilitating plastic recycling and reducing environmental pollution.

Implementation Method 1

The isolated Acinetobacter guillouiae repla2 strain was capable of degrading various plastics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

the production and secretion of plastic-degrading enzymes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4624567A1Novel microbe with plastic degrading activity and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 REPLA INC
  • EP4624567A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4624567A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4624567A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel microbe capable of degrading plastic and a method for degrading plastic using same. The microbe can degrade one or more types of plastics selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene (PE) into low molecular weight substances under appropriate incubation conditions.