Chemical bio-manufacture from diverse C-rich waste polymeric feedstocks using engineered microorganisms

Sustainability targets are driving the chemicals industry away from reliance upon finite fossil fuel resources for chemical synthesis. Biotechnology holds huge promise in this area and methods to convert renewable feedstocks, such as glucose, into a myriad of value-added chemicals are well-known. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have been transformational in enabling microbial cells to perform non-native chemistry, increasing product yields and the scope of chemical space accessible through bio-based approaches. While the development of the bioeconomy using virgin renewable feedstocks (e.g., glucose) has been a significant milestone, we propose that the next major breakthrough towards a sustainable future lies in utilizing waste feedstocks through engineered microbes. In particular, C-rich polymeric materials such as lignocellulosic and plastic waste hold vast untapped potential for the circular bioeconomy. This mitigates land-use conflicts with the food industry and aligns with principles of the circular economy. This Perspective highlights progress and challenges in this emerging field of using biotic and abiotic polymers as a feedstock for chemical biomanufacture.