TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Platform to Accelerate Discovery of Tailored Industrial Enzymes (PAD-TIE)
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The PAD-TIE platform, developed by NREL and Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a high-throughput screening system designed to rapidly identify and optimize enzymes capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic under industrially relevant conditions. Unlike traditional methods that test enzymes one at a time, PAD-TIE evaluates tens of thousands of enzyme variants simultaneously, measuring their activity, stability, and production efficiency in a single process, eliminating costly purification steps and reducing time-to-identification. The system operates at the optimal temperature for PET degradation and is validated in lab-scale bioreactors that mimic real-world recycling environments, enabling the conversion of plastic waste into reusable monomers without harsh chemicals or excessive energy use. With a Technology Readiness Level of 6, the platform is a fully functional prototype with all components tested, and three U.S. patents are pending, making it a mature and protected innovation ready for commercial adoption. PAD-TIE is positioned to serve a broad range of industries including plastic recycling, waste management, polymer manufacturing, and sustainable materials development. Its adaptability allows customization for different PET compositions, additives, and processing conditions, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure. The platform’s efficiency and scalability offer a cost-effective solution for scaling enzymatic plastic degradation at an industrial level. Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking industry partners through exclusive or non-exclusive licensing agreements to further develop and deploy the technology, with applications spanning bioremediation, bioplastics, and closed-loop recycling systems. Interested parties must respond by October 1, 2026, and inquiries should be directed to the provided licensing contacts. The technology is available for commercialization under a non-set-aside procurement with a NAICS code of 541714, and performance will occur in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
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 Manufacturers: 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