In a groundbreaking development, researchers have discovered a way to turn commonly used plastic waste into acetaminophen (paracetamol), a widely used over-the-counter painkiller. This innovative method, developed with support from AstraZeneca, transforms polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into valuable pharmaceutical ingredients, offering a sustainable solution to both plastic waste and drug manufacturing challenges.

Key highlights

Conversion of plastic to Acetaminophen

• Common PET plastic waste, found in water bottles and food packaging, is converted into acetaminophen using a fermentation process.

• The process works at room temperature and takes less than 24 hours, generating zero carbon emissions.

Support and development

• The method is developed with the support of AstraZeneca and published in Nature Chemistry.

• PET plastic, which accounts for more than 350 million tons of waste globally, can now be turned into useful products, including drugs.

Environmental and healthcare benefits

• This breakthrough offers a sustainable approach to solving the global plastic waste problem and can reduce the dependency on fossil fuels for manufacturing acetaminophen.

• The innovation can lower the environmental impact of drug production and contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system.

Next steps and commercial viability

• While successful in lab tests, further development is required to scale the process for commercial production of acetaminophen from PET plastic.

Global impact

• This innovation could serve as a model for more eco-friendly and cost-effective drug production, addressing two critical global challenges: plastic waste and healthcare access.

The new method of converting plastic waste into acetaminophen not only provides a solution for one of the world’s largest environmental issues but also offers a more sustainable and affordable way to produce essential medicines. As further research is conducted, this breakthrough could pave the way for future eco-friendly pharmaceutical production methods.