Enzymatic Breakthrough Enables Near-Complete Depolymerization of Biodegradable Mulch Films

A scientific breakthrough has demonstrated that a thermostable enzyme called Kubu can rapidly depolymerize commercial PLA/PBAT biodegradable mulch films without pretreatment, achieving 95% mass loss within 96 hours. This single-enzyme approach represents a significant advancement in end-of-life management for biodegradable mulch films, which have previously suffered from slow or incomplete degradation under environmental conditions. The research shows that complete enzymatic depolymerization could avoid social costs up to $4,087 per ton of mulch film. Agricultural mulch films improve crop productivity by raising soil temperature, limiting evaporation, and preventing weeds, but post-use recovery and recycling have remained challenging due to their thin, fragmented nature and contamination. This discovery establishes a viable pathway for managing heterogeneous polyester blends at the end of their useful life, addressing one of the key environmental concerns associated with plasticulture