I. Introduction to Terephthalic Acid in Pharma
In the fast-paced pharmaceutical industry, where innovation and efficiency drive success, sustainability is also increasingly a concern given the limited nature of natural resources (Swaminathan, 2024). The pharmaceutical industry, which has traditionally relied on fossil-based chemicals, is also looking at greener options to solve environmental issues. One such invention includes employing terephthalic acid, a chemical well recognized for its use in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics (Schwab, 2024), as a pharmaceutical intermediary (Johnson, 2025). By getting terephthalic acid from recycled PET, the industry may cut waste and carbon emissions while still producing important pharmaceuticals like paracetamol. This article investigates the use of terephthalic acid in medicines, its origins in plastics, and its potential to redefine sustainable medication manufacture.
II. What is Terephthalic Acid and Its Role in Pharmaceuticals?
Terephthalic acid is a white, crystalline powder that is typically made by oxidizing p-xylene, a petroleum product. It is frequently used in the manufacturing of PET plastic bottles and packaging (Lapa, 2023). Its chemical structure, which comprises two carboxyl groups on a benzene ring, makes it appropriate for a wide range of industrial applications, including medicine (Lundbeck, 2005). Terephthalic acid is used as an intermediate in drug manufacturing, most notably in the formation of certain pharmaceuticals such as citalopram and escitalopram (Lundbeck, 2010), and more recently as a precursor for paracetamol (acetaminophen) using new biotechnological techniques (Johnson, 2025).
Unlike standard paracetamol production, which requires energy-intensive, fossil-based phenol (Prescott, 1996), a novel approach uses terephthalic acid generated from recycled PET plastics. This approach uses genetically modified Escherichia coli to convert terephthalic acid into paracetamol by microbial fermentation, providing a sustainable alternative that meets worldwide environmental standards (Johnson, 2025).
III. Sources of Terephthalic Acid: From Plastics to Pharma
Terephthalic acid may be extracted from waste PET plastics, such as discarded water bottles, using chemical recycling techniques such as alkaline hydrolysis or glycolysis (Bohre, 2023). These techniques degrade PET into its monomers, including terephthalic acid, which may be refined to pharmaceutical-grade levels. Recycling PET not only eliminates plastic waste but also reduces dependency on petroleum-based feedstocks, therefore mitigating the pharmaceutical industry's considerable environmental impact.
For example, chemical recycling may produce high-purity terephthalic acid, with studies i...
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