From fuel waste to fabrics: Engineered bacteria convert waste glycerol into green nylon

KAIST researchers engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum to turn crude glycerol from biodiesel waste into nylon precursors.

The bacteria can produce diaminopentane, glutaric acid, and glutaramide from a single waste feedstock in one fermentation process.

The platform could enable lower-carbon, bio-based nylon production by replacing some fossil-derived petrochemical inputs.

It also adds value to crude glycerol, a low-value byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing.