17.08.2023

Microplastic pollution: sustainable filter solution found at UBC

Microplastic pollution: Plants could be the answer (credits: University of British Columbia)

UBC device uses wood dust to trap up to 99.9 per cent of microplastics in water

Could plants be the answer to the looming threat of microplastic pollution? Scientists at UBC’s BioProducts Institute found that if you add tannins - natural plant compounds that make your mouth pucker if you bite into an unripe fruit - to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that traps virtually all microplastic particles present in water.

While the experiment remains a lab set-up at this stage, the team is convinced that the solution can be scaled up easily and inexpensively once they find the right industry partner.

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris resulting from the breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. Keeping them out of water supplies is a huge challenge, says Dr. Orlando Rojas, the institute’s scientific director and the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Forest Bioproducts.

He noted one study which found that virtually all tap water is contaminated by microplastics, and other research which states that more than 10 billion tons of mismanaged plastic waste will be dispersed in the environment by 2025.

“Most solutions proposed so far are costly or difficult to scale up. We’re proposing a solution that could potentially be scaled down for home use or scaled up for municipal treatment systems. Our filter, unlike plastic filters, does not contribute to further pollution as it uses renewable and biodegradable materials: tannic acids from plants, bark, wood and leaves, and wood sawdust—a forestry byproduct that is both widely available and renewable.”

Captures a wide variety of plastics

For their study, the team analyzed microparticles released from popular tea bags made of polypropylene. They found that their method (they’re calling it “bioCap”) trapped from 95.2 per cent to as much as 99.9 per cent of plastic particles in a column of water, depending on plastic type. When tested in mouse models, the process was proved to prevent the accumulation of microplastics in the organs.

Dr. Rojas, a professor in the departments of wood science, chemical and biological engineering, and chemistry at UBC, adds that it’s difficult to capture all the different kinds of microplastics in a solution, as they come in different sizes, shapes and electrical charges.

“There are microfibres from clothing, microbeads from cleansers and soaps, and foams and pellets from utensils, containers and packaging. By taking advantage of the different molecular interactions around tannic acids, our bioCap solution was able to remove virtually all of these different microplastic types.”

Collaborating on sustainable solutions

The UBC method was developed in collaboration with Dr. Junling Guo, a professor at the Center of Biomass Materials and Nanointerfaces at Sichuan University in China. Marina Mehling (she/her), a PhD student at UBC’s department of chemical and biological engineering, and Dr. Tianyu Guo (she/her), a postdoctoral researcher at the BioProducts Institute, also contributed to the work.

“Microplastics pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, demanding innovative solutions. We’re thrilled that the BioProducts Institute’s multidisciplinary collaboration has brought us closer to a sustainable approach to combat the challenges posed by these plastic particles,” said Dr. Rojas.

Source: University of British Columbia

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17.08.2023

POWTECH 2023: Highlights and new features in the diverse supporting programme

The supporting programme for POWTECH 2023, the international processing trade fair for powder, bulk solids, fluids and liquids on 26–28 September 2023, is more diverse than ever. A VDMA Special Show, which focuses among other things on resource-conserving solutions, will make its debut at the event. This time around, there are even two versions of the expert forum “stagetalks”: stagetalks I will address all POWTECH visitor segments, while at stagetalks II, vendors of pharmaceutical processing technology will for the first time use separate streams to show the solutions they have to offer. Start-ups will be given a separate platform, and there will also be special highlights for students at this year’s event. In addition, anyone wanting to experience a live explosion in a safe environment will have the opportunity to do so twice a day.  

17.08.2023

RWTH Aachen and PWC: Study on Battery Recycling in the EU: Circular economy by 2040 seems unrealistic

• Recycling of batteries will be a profitable and sustainable business in Europe even before 2035
• EU battery directive prescribes recycling quotas
• Nine Billion Euros Needed by 2035

Shortly before the updated EU Battery Regulation comes into force, the chair "Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components" (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University has published a study on the European battery recycling market.  

17.08.2023

Implenia and WindWorks Jelsa agreed to develop a production facility in Norway for the growing floating offshore wind industry

Implenia and NorSea will become equal minority shareholders in WindWorks Jelsa | Limited financial investment for Implenia | Huge potential for renewable energy infrastructure across Europe  

16.08.2023

Strong first-half results - Implenia is on track to meet 2023 targets

Implenia CEO André Wyss about the half-year results: “With our strategic portfolio mix, we once again achieved strong results in the first half of 2023. Following a successful transformation and the completion of the Wincasa acquisition, Implenia is excellently positioned for sustainable success.