Researchers Identified Enzyme to Recycle Polyurethane
Scientists have discovered a bacterium in garden compost capable of breaking down difficult-to-recycle polyurethane foam.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Chemistry
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Collaborative research between Aarhus University and the University of Porto has led to the identification of an enzyme that can break down polyurethane foam. This discovery offers a potential biological pathway for recycling a material that currently relies heavily on fossil-based inputs.
Why it matters
Polyurethane foam is currently not widely recycled, creating a significant waste challenge for global manufacturing. Finding an enzyme that functions under mild conditions could provide a sustainable alternative to current disposal methods.
Researchers isolated the specific enzyme from a bacterium thriving in garden compost. The newly identified biological agent functions efficiently under mild environmental conditions to break down polyurethane foam.
The players
Aarhus University
This public research university based in Denmark collaborated on the identification of the foam-recycling enzyme.
University of Porto
This major Portuguese public university partnered in the research effort to characterize the enzyme found in compost.
The details
The discovery by teams at Aarhus University and the University of Porto highlights a biological mechanism that addresses the lack of circularity in polyurethane production. By leveraging enzymes found in nature, the research suggests a path forward for managing materials that are typically difficult to reclaim.
Timeline
2031 marks the projected year for global polyurethane foam production to reach nearly 20 million tonnes.
The Big Picture
This discovery follows the trajectory of enzyme-based plastic degradation technologies, which seek to replace mechanical recycling with biological processes. By successfully targeting polyurethane, the findings expand the scope of materials that can be managed through sustainable enzymatic breakthroughs.
This breakthrough could eventually lead to sustainable recycling methods for products like furniture foam and insulation. Successful industrial adoption of this enzyme could reduce the manufacturing industry's long-term reliance on new, fossil-based raw material inputs.
The takeaway
The use of compost-derived enzymes represents a promising shift toward nature-inspired solutions for plastic waste. Implementing biological recycling could transform how global industries manage high-volume materials like polyurethane.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in chemical research by visiting the Chemistry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Springwise.
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