New Biodegradable Plastic Developed with Embedded Bacteria for Enhanced Breakdown

Researchers have introduced a novel type of thermoplastic polyurethane that houses bacterial spores, significantly improving its biodegradability.

An international team has created a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that incorporates bacterial spores capable of digesting the plastic.
The embedded Bacillus subtilis spores remain inactive during the plastic's use and activate to degrade the material upon disposal.
This innovative plastic not only breaks down effectively in compost but also enhances the material's strength and durability.
The development could lead to reduced environmental impact from plastic waste, with potential applications in various industries.
Ongoing research aims to optimize this technology for industrial scale and explore its use with other types of plastics.