Carbios and the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI) have jointly developed a new engineered enzyme that can be embedded into polylactic acid (PLA) to make it self-biodegradable. This breakthrough aims to revolutionize the sustainability of PLA-based products, which are widely used in packaging and other commercial applications.

A recent study published in Nature details the engineering strategies used to create this enzyme, which is capable of biologically depolymerizing PLA over a wide temperature and pH range. This versatility reflects the natural variations found in domestic composting environments, ensuring effective biodegradation across different conditions.

The study also outlines the challenges in incorporating the enzyme homogeneously into PLA films at high temperatures of 170°C, necessary for extrusion processes. Despite these high temperatures, the enzyme retains sufficient activity to ensure that the PLA degrades rapidly and completely under composting or methanization conditions.

This newly developed enzymatic material has demonstrated a much faster disintegration and biodegradation rate than the 26-week standard required for home composting certification. Additionally, it enhances biomethane production during anaerobic digestion, offering another avenue for waste recovery. The material remains stable during long-term storage and use, with its degradation only activated under specific composting or methanization conditions, making it highly suitable for various PLA-based commercial applications, including nonwoven fabrics and plastics.