# Polyurethane degradation research and Portuguese footwear's

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polyurethane-degradation-research-and-portuguese-footwears
> Updated: 2026-09-15T00:27:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Researchers from the University of Porto and Aarhus University have developed a new enzyme, CCPUR1, capable of degrading polyurethane. Derived from the bacterium Chelatococcus composti, the enzyme can “devour” polyurethane materials used in footwear foams, mattresses, and sponges without requiring prior processing.

This work is part of the En’Zync project, a consortium funded by approximately ten million euros from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which seeks to identify fungal or bacterial enzymes to tackle plastic waste. 

In a broader context, the Portuguese footwear sector is undergoing a 100 million euro investment cycle through the BioShoes4All and FAIST projects. These funds are directed toward sustainability, automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to modernize the industry.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: University of Porto researchers develop enzyme to degrade polyurethane

University of Porto and Aarhus University researchers have developed an enzyme, CCPUR1, capable of degrading polyurethane to aid in the recycling of plastics like footwear foam and mattresses.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-porto-researchers-develop-enzyme-to-degrade-polyurethane

### 2026-09-14: Portuguese footwear sector advances through enzyme research and 100M euro investment

Portuguese researchers have developed an enzyme to degrade polyurethane in footwear, while the national footwear industry invests 100 million euros in sustainability and new technologies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-footwear-sector-advances-through-enzyme-research-and-100m-euro-investment

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Cite as: Polyurethane degradation research and Portuguese footwear's. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polyurethane-degradation-research-and-portuguese-footwears