New insights into the enzymatic recycling of polyurethanes and nylons

In a Perspective article published in Nature Chem. Biology., Prof. Bornscheuer and his team discuss the natural diversity of different hydrolase superfamilies suitable to deconstruct polyurethanes (PU) as well as polyamides (Nylons). They examined in detail their catalytic features, strategies for discovering novel biocatalysts and how to tailor them by protein engineering, aiming for a better understanding of these biocatalysts, see https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-026-02325-8 for details.