Plastic waste is a global challenge, but also a valuable resource. At GreenPATH, we are working to transform the way plastic packaging is managed by developing eco-friendly pretreatment solutions that make recycling safer, more efficient, and aligned with circular economy principles.
Our mission is to create innovative, eco-friendly solutions that remove additives from plastic packaging using renewable and low-impact solvents. By enabling cleaner and more efficient recycling through enzymatic depolymerization, we aim to recover high-purity monomers and keep plastic in the loop — rather than in the landfill.
Most plastics are difficult to recycle due to the presence of colorants, plasticizers, and other additives that interfere with traditional recycling, often resulting in downcycling or waste. At GreenPATH, we tackle the problem at its source by removing these additives, enabling more effective recycling and higher-quality material recovery.
We envision a future where plastic packaging waste is seen not as a problem, but as a valuable resource. At GreenPATH, we believe in smart recycling driven by green chemistry and biotechnology — transforming today’s waste into tomorrow’s raw materials.
Green chemistry + Biotechnology = Smart plastic recycling
Green chemistry
Eco-friendly solvents
Biotechnology
Enzymes
Depolymerization
Efficient recycling
Waste-to-Resource
Circular economy
Together, we can rethink plastic, not as waste, but as a resource worth recovering
By combining solvent-based pretreatments with enzymatic recycling, we aim to close the loop in plastic use and significantly reduce environmental impact, paving the way for a more sustainable and circular plastics economy.
Contacto:
Ana M. Ferreira | E-mail: ana.conceicao@ua.pt
This work is funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the project GREEN-PATH (Ref. 2023.15169.PEX, DOI 10.54499/2023.15169.PEX).
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the FCT. Neither the FCT nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.