Scientists have recently identified freshwater and marine fungi capable of digesting common plastics such as polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE)—without needing pre-treatment like UV or heat. Some fungi even survive using plastic as their sole carbon source, marking them as natural decomposers in polluted environments.
Classic examples include terrestrial strains like Fusarium, Penicillium, and Trichoderma, as well as marine fungus Parengyodontium album, found in ocean “plastisphere” biofilms.
🧪 How It Works
- These fungi secrete specialized enzymes capable of breaking long polymer chains into smaller molecules, which fungi use as food.
- Crucially, many strains show this behavior without needing UV or chemical pre‑treatment, simplifying potential scale-up.
- Marine strains from Hawaii’s ocean currents adapted rapidly, with some increasing plastic consumption rates by 15% in just three months under experimental evolution.
📈 Industry in Motion: Product Innovation
In Austin, US-based startup Hiro Technologies has launched MycoDigestible Diapers, embedding plastic‑eating fungi in every product. When activated by moisture, the fungi decompose the plastic in disposable diapers—turning waste into soil-like biomass within nine months under lab conditions.
🔎 Proven Cases & Milestones
- The classic Yale study of Pestalotiopsis microspora demonstrated anaerobic degradation of polyurethane in rainforests back in 2011. Despite lab success, large-scale deployment remains elusive.
- Australian scientists used Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album to degrade polypropylene—the notoriously tough plastic—achieving 25–27% breakdown in 90 days, and full decomposition in ~140 days.
- German researchers at Lake Stechlin identified fungi strains that thrived on plastics like PU and rubber—even forming biomass solely from polymers.
⚖️ Pros and Limitations
| Benefit | Constraint |
|---|---|
| Natural biodegradation of stubborn plastics | Rate slow for PE and microplastics |
| No need for elaborate pre-treatment | Efficiency depends on strain, temp and nutrient levels |
| Scalable to controlled facilities | Marine and soil adaptation needed for broader deployment |
- Polyurethane degrades faster; polyethylene and tyre-wear microplastics are still challenging. Reuters
- Real-world speed is slower than lab conditions—industrial scaling remains a research hurdle.
🧭 What’s Next?
- Researchers are exploring enzyme training and strain engineering to boost plastic-degradation speeds.
- Pilot projects aim to deploy fungi in sewage treatment, landfill digesters, and commercial composting systems.
- Companies are innovating using fungi—for example, Hiro’s diapers—moving toward consumer adoption by mid-2026.
✅ Bottom Line
While plastic-eating fungi—in environments from lakes to oceans—aren’t a standalone cure for pollution, they offer a promising, eco-friendly complement to existing waste strategies. Emerging initiatives like fungal-infused diapers demonstrate innovation at the consumer level, while scientific advancements continue to uncover more powerful, adaptable strains capable of reshaping biodegradation pathways.
