Researchers Identified Enzyme for Polyurethane Recycling
The newly discovered enzyme enables the breakdown of polyurethane foam under mild environmental conditions.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Chemistry
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Researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Porto have identified a bacterium-derived enzyme from garden compost capable of breaking down polyurethane foam. This finding offers a potential pathway to recycle material that currently depends on fossil-based inputs.
Why it matters
Polyurethane foam remains difficult to recycle, and finding scalable solutions is critical as global production is projected to reach almost 20 million tonnes by 2031. This research-stage development identifies a biological mechanism to address the lack of circularity in current production processes.
The enzyme functions under mild environmental conditions to degrade polyurethane foam. This process addresses a material class that is currently not widely recycled.
The players
Aarhus University
A Danish research institution focused on advanced chemical and biological studies.
University of Porto
A Portuguese research university contributing to biochemical and environmental science.
The details
The enzyme was isolated from a bacterium identified in garden compost. It operates by breaking down the complex molecular structure of polyurethane foam under mild environmental conditions, potentially allowing for material recovery without the intense heat or chemical processing often required for plastics recycling.
Timeline
2031: Global production of polyurethane foam is projected to reach 20 million tonnes.
The Tech Race
This research follows a growing trend of cataloging microbial enzymes capable of depolymerizing complex synthetic materials. It positions biological recycling as a necessary competitor to existing chemical and mechanical methods for managing global plastic waste.
This development is currently in the research stage and does not immediately affect manufacturing or consumer waste management. Future industrial application will depend on scaling the enzyme's performance to meet the volume of the global 20 million-tonne production market.
The takeaway
Biological recycling could eventually transform how society handles complex foams that currently lack viable reuse cycles. Observers should track subsequent peer-reviewed findings regarding the enzyme's catalytic stability and speed in large-scale pilot projects.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in material science, visit Chemistry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Springwise.
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