Microbes turn plastic waste into paracetamol

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found that a common bacterium can convert everyday plastic waste into paracetamol, offering the potential to revolutionise painkiller production. This innovative method not only produces the medicine more sustainably, but also generates virtually no carbon emissions—significantly outperforming traditional manufacturing processes.

Paracetamol, which is typically produced from dwindling fossil fuel reserves, such as crude oil, has long been a contributor to climate change. Every year, thousands of tons of fossil fuels are burned to produce paracetamol alongside other pharmaceutical and chemical products. The new microbial technique promises a greener, cleaner alternative.
This breakthrough also addresses one of the biggest environmental challenges: recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a widely used plastic found in water bottles and food packaging. PET waste, which amounts to over 350 million tons globally each year, often ends up in landfills or pollutes the oceans, causing serious environmental harm. While PET recycling exists, current methods still lead to products that contribute to the ongoing plastic waste crisis.

A team of scientists at the University of Edinburgh's Wallace Lab engineered E. coli bacteria to transform terephthalic acid, a molecule derived from PET, into paracetamol. By using a fermentation process similar to beer brewing, the bacteria were able to convert industrial PET waste into paracetamol in less than 24 hours—at room temperature and with near-zero carbon emissions.

The researchers found that 90% of the resulting product was pure paracetamol, demonstrating the potential of this method for large-scale, sustainable production. However, further development is required before it can be scaled up for commercial use.

The University of Edinburgh, a leader in engineering biology, hosted the research team that made this discovery. By combining traditional chemistry with cutting-edge biological engineering, the team has created a microbial "factory" that produces valuable chemicals, reduces waste, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions—reducing our dependence on fossil fuels in the process.

The study, published in Nature Chemistry, was funded by an EPSRC CASE award, biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and supported by Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the university’s commercialisation arm.

Professor Stephen Wallace, the lead author and Chair of Chemical Biotechnology at the University of Edinburgh, stated, “This research shows that PET plastic doesn’t have to be waste—it can be transformed by microorganisms into valuable products, including medicines.”

Ian Hatch, Head of Consultancy at EI, added, “We’re collaborating with exceptional companies like AstraZeneca to turn these discoveries into world-changing innovations. Engineering biology offers enormous potential to break our reliance on fossil fuels, support a circular economy, and create sustainable chemicals and materials.”

This breakthrough could represent a pivotal moment in both sustainability and medicine, making it possible to recycle plastic waste while producing a much-needed painkiller. The future of pharmaceutical manufacturing may be cleaner, greener, and far less dependent on oil.