The invention relates to treatment of waste with one or more microorganisms for the purposes of, including but not limited to, degrading waste, bioremediation of waste, enhancing waste stabilization, reducing contaminants in waste, reducing odor in waste, reducing organics in waste, and combinations thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to isolated Bacillus strains, and strains having all of the identifying characteristics of these strains, and combinations thereof, for uses comprising the above-mentioned uses.

The present invention relates to novel proteases, more particularly to protease variants having improved activity compared to the protease of SEQ ID NO:1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The proteases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polylactic acid, and material containing polylactic acid.

Provided are a method and a reagent for improving the activity of PETase. The method includes adding a surfactant, when a PETase (a) an aromatic polyester-degrading enzyme consisting of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 in the sequence listing; or PETase (b) an aromatic polyester-degrading enzyme consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids with respect to the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 in the sequence listing, and having an aromatic polyester-degrading activity is allowed to act on PET so as to degrade the PET.

The invention relates to a microfabricated valve (10), comprising a first channel (11), a second channel (12) and a connection channel (13). The connection channel (13) connects the first channel (11) and the second channel (12). The microfabricated valve further comprises a valve portion (14) arranged within the connection channel (13), wherein the valve portion (14) is adapted to selectively open and close the connection channel (13). Moreover the invention relates to a method comprising the steps: inserting the first channel (11) into the first layer (21), inserting the second channel (12) into the third layer (23), inserting the connection channel (13) with the valve portion (14) into the second layer (22), and then arranging the second layer (22) between the first layer (21) and the third layer (23). The invention relates furthermore to a test device, in particular for a biological application and in particular a method for performing a biological test cycle.

The present invention relates to processes for degrading plastic products and the uses thereof. The processes of the invention particularly comprise a step of amorphizing a plastic product prior to a step of depolymerization. The processes of the invention are particularly useful for degrading a plastic product comprising polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid. The invention also relates to a method of producing monomers and/or oligomers from a plastic product comprising at least one polyester, particularly polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid, comprising submitting the plastic product both to an amorphization step and to a depolymerization step.

The present invention relates to novel esterase, more particularly to esterase variants having improved activity compared to the esterase of SEQ ID No 1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.

The present invention relates to novel esterase, more particularly to esterase variants having improved thermostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID No 1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.

The present invention relates to an enzymatic process for depolymerization of post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) by a glycolysis reaction. This invention also relates to a process for recycling post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) and to the recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) obtained by said process.

This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.

The present invention relates to a new liquid composition comprising biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity, a carrier and a solvent that may be advantageously used for the manufacture of a biodegradable plastic product.