TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Platform to Accelerate Discovery of Tailored Industrial Enzymes (PAD-TIE)

About this funding opportunity

NREL and Los Alamos National Laboratory’s PAD-TIE platform is an advanced screening system designed to accelerate the discovery and optimization of enzymes that break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most widely used plastics.

The Challenge:

Traditional enzyme development is slow and requires testing individual enzymes under controlled conditions. PAD-TIE overcomes this limitation by simultaneously screening tens of thousands of enzyme variants under industrially relevant conditions for PET degradation.

How it Works:

Unlike conventional methods, PAD-TIE evaluates enzyme efficiency, stability, and production potential in a single process, ensuring that only the most viable candidates move forward. Validated in lab-scale bioreactors that replicate industrial recycling environments, PAD-TIE supports sustainable PET recycling and upcycling, breaking plastic down into its fundamental building blocks (monomers) for reuse: without the need for harsh chemicals or energy-intensive processes.

Key Advantages:

Scalable High-Throughput Screening: Evaluates tens of thousands of enzyme variants simultaneously, accelerating discovery.

Optimized for Industrial Use: Operates at the optimal temperature for enzymatic PET degradation and high plastic processing efficiency, ensuring compatibility with existing recycling infrastructure.

Efficient Resource Use: Uses widely available reagents and eliminates enzyme purification in early screening, reducing material and labor costs.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment: Simultaneously measures enzyme activity, stability, and production efficiency, reducing failure rates.

Adaptable to Industry Needs: Can be optimized for various processing conditions, different PET compositions, and additives in plastic waste.

Market Applications:

PAD-TIE is designed for industry partners seeking scalable, enzyme-based solutions for plastic waste management and recycling, including:

Recycling & Waste Management: Enhances PET recycling by breaking plastic down into reusable monomers.

Bioremediation & Environmental: Supports plastic degradation in marine environments, landfills, and polluted sites.

Polymer Manufacturer s: Enables the integration of engineered enzymes into industrial plastic processing workflows.

Bioplastics & Sustainable Materials: Contributes to the development of biodegradable plastics and ecofriendly alternatives.

Development Status: Technology Readiness Level 6 - Full System Prototype Built with Components Thoroughly Tested

Three U.S. patents pending

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search/pad-tie

LA-UR-25-23941

LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.

LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.

Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Advanced Manufacturing and Industry, Energy and Environment, Circular Economy and Sustainability.

Funding amount

This contract provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Oct 01, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME
• MidCaps
• Large Company
• Startups
• University
• Research Organization
• NGOs
• Public Authorities

Eligibility

No Set aside used

Agency

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Platform to Accelerate Discovery of Tailored Industrial Enzymes (PAD-TIE) is administered by Energy, Department Of (ED), listed via SAM.gov.