05 Oct 2022 --- Researchers at the Center for Biological Research (CIB) in Spain have discovered that the saliva of wax worm species contains enzymes that are able to degrade plastics. The discovery of these enzymes being able to rapidly set off PE opens a new window of hope for treating and recycling plastic waste. PackagingInsights speaks to Dr. Federica Bertocchini, head of the research group, about the discovery and what role the findings could play in solving the global plastic pollution crisis. “The field of biodegradation has represented a hope for a solution. However, to date nothing has been found to degrade sturdy polymers such as PE, polystyrene or PP, neither microorganisms nor enzymes. These are the first enzymes (and they happen to be from an animal), capable of doing that.”
