Meet Parengyodontium album, the Microorganism That Could Transform the Packaging Industry

At Gurpa Bio, we firmly believe that the solution to many of today’s environmental challenges lies in sustainable innovation. That’s why we’re passionate about sharing scientific breakthroughs that open new possibilities in the world of packaging and food preservation. One of the most fascinating discoveries in recent years comes, interestingly enough, from the kingdom of fungi.

An Unexpected Ally: Parengyodontium album

This fungus, with its complex name and modest appearance, has surprised the scientific community with a rare ability: it can degrade plastic—specifically polyethylene, one of the most widely used materials in packaging, textiles, foams, and medical components.

Unlike other plastic disposal methods that require high temperatures or aggressive chemical processes, Parengyodontium album does this naturally and under environmental conditions, thanks to enzymes that break the material’s molecular chains.

However, there’s a catch: P. album cannot use polyethylene as an energy source without the help of sunlight, which partially breaks down the material mechanically. “P. album only decomposes polyethylene that has been exposed to UV radiation for at least a short period of time.”

Why Is Parengyodontium album Relevant to the Packaging Industry?

At Gurpa Bio, we design flexible packaging solutions that optimize food shelf life and reduce waste, but we also keep a close eye on emerging technologies that can strengthen material circularity and end-of-life solutions.

This fungus represents an opportunity to rethink how we manage plastic waste biologically—especially the kinds that are difficult to recycle, like polyethylene. According to recent research, P. album was able to reduce visible pieces of this material in just 140 days at room temperature, which is a significant improvement over traditional degradation that can take decades or even centuries.

How Could We Integrate This Innovation?

Although this research is still in its early stages, the potential is enormous:

• Bioremediation of post-consumer plastic waste.

• Development of fungus-assisted composting technologies.

• Application in special packaging that can be treated with enzymes at the end of its life cycle.

  
  

At Gurpa Bio, we’re constantly exploring these paths to offer smart, sustainable, and forward-thinking packaging. We’re excited to imagine a future where science, biotechnology, and material design converge to create truly circular solutions.

One Step Closer to Conscious Packaging

This discovery reminds us that nature is an endless source of innovation. While we work every day to create packaging that keeps food fresh for longer and reduces waste, we are equally committed to finding alternatives that close the loop in a more eco-friendly way.

From microperforation technologies that keep products fresh, to the development of compostable and recyclable materials, at Gurpa Bio we see science as an ally in transforming the agri-food industry—starting with packaging.