From the Editors

AMBB Call for Papers: Environmental Biotechnological Solutions for a Future Circular Plastics Economy

Can microbes help solve the plastics challenge? From plastic-degrading enzymes to microbial cell factories that transform waste into valuable products, biotechnology is opening new pathways toward a circular plastics economy.

Plastic pollution continues to challenge existing recycling systems, creating an urgent need for innovative and scalable solutions. Biological approaches are emerging as a powerful complement to conventional recycling, harnessing microorganisms, enzymes, and engineered biological systems to degrade plastics, recover valuable building blocks, and produce sustainable alternatives.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology is now inviting submissions to its topical collection Environmental Biotechnological Solutions for a Future Circular Plastics Economy.

We welcome original research and reviews covering topics including:

Discovery and engineering of plastic-active enzymes
Microbial degradation and depolymerization of plastics
Bio-upcycling and valorization of plastic-derived compounds
Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for plastic-waste conversion
Microbial production of biodegradable bioplastics
Bioprocess design, scale-up, and real-world applications

We are particularly interested in studies that connect mechanistic insight with practical process relevance and demonstrate pathways toward implementation at scale.

Submission deadline: 30 June 2027. Submit here.

Join us in advancing the microbial and biotechnological innovations that can help transform plastic waste from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.

#AppliedMicrobiologyAndBiotechnology #Microbiology #Biotechnology #EnvironmentalBiotechnology #CircularEconomy #PlasticWaste #Biorecycling #SyntheticBiology #Bioplastics #Sustainability #SDG9 #SDG12

Header Image credit: © Andriy Onufriyenko / Moment / Getty Images