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UPCYCLING OF PAPER TOWEL WASTE – ENZYMATIC SACCHARIFICATION FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

  • Elke Wilharm - Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering (IBU), Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Germany
  • Marie-Kristin Blankenburg - Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering (IBU), Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Germany
  • Diana Lorenczyk - Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering (IBU), Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Germany
  • Malin Schleicher - Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering (IBU), Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Germany
  • Ireen Gebauer - Fraunhofer Center for Chemical Biotechnological Processes CBP, Germany
  • Katja Patzsch - Fraunhofer Center for Chemical Biotechnological Processes CBP, Germany

DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2026.19612

Released under CC BY-NC-ND

Copyright: © 2026 CISA Publisher

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable carbon sources and the depletion of fossil resources highlight the need for sustainable solutions in the chemical industry. This study evaluates the potential of used paper towels as a feedstock for glucose production and subsequent biotechnological applications. A paper towel sorting and processing concept was developed for a model municipality. Pilot scale sample sorting was conducted to assess practical feasibility and impurity content. Targeted interventions in public facilities led to impurity levels below 1% (w/w) in some samples. Enzymatic saccharification with commercial enzyme blends achieved yields of up to 98.4% with unused paper towels under optimized laboratory conditions. At pilot scale, saccharification reached yields of up to 57%, mainly limited by mixing dynamics and microbial contamination. Sanitization reduced contaminants but did not completely prevent environmental microbial growth, leading to a reduction in saccharification time from 48 h to 24 h to improve energy efficiency. The resulting glucose syrups were tested as the main carbon source for the growth of five model microorganisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Cupriavidus necator and Penicillium verruculosum). The results demonstrate that glucose from upcycled paper towels is broadly suitable and, in some cases, superior to laboratory-grade glucose for microbial fermentation, as the obtained syrups contain additional fermentable sugars, highlighting a promising pathway for sustainable carbon sourcing in the bioeconomy.

Keywords

Editorial History

  • Received: 16 Feb 2026
  • Revised: 29 Apr 2026
  • Accepted: 18 May 2026
  • Available online: 14 Jul 2026

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