University of Porto researchers develop enzyme to degrade polyurethane

Researchers at the University of Porto's Faculty of Sciences, in collaboration with Aarhus University in Denmark, have developed a new type of enzyme capable of degrading polyurethane. This material is commonly found in footwear foams, mattresses, and kitchen sponges.

The study, published in the journal Chem Catalysis, focuses on an enzyme named CCPUR1, derived from the bacterium Chelatococcus composti. This microorganism was identified in organic compost samples from Denmark. The enzyme demonstrated the ability to degrade polyurethane without the need for prior processing, which researchers describe as a significant finding for plastic recycling efforts.

The research is part of the En’Zync project, a consortium involving the University of Porto and three Danish institutions. The project is funded by approximately ten million euros from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and aims to develop fungal or bacterial enzymes to tackle plastic waste.