Summary
Microplastics are small (< 5mm) plastic particles which constitute a large part of plastic pollution. Although less visible to the eye, microplastics have been found to be dispersed in all environmental compartments and have a great ability to enter, influence and endanger natural food webs. The Environmental Investigation Agency estimated that a total of 51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean, with up to 219,000 tonnes of microplastics entering the sea from Europe each year. Microplastic pollution caused by washing processes of synthetic textiles has recently been assessed as the main source of primary microplastics in the oceans. Standard washing machines do not include a microfiber filter and an effective solution to reduce fibre emissions is not available on the market.
PlanetCare has developed Fibrestop, the first built-in microfiber filter for washing machines. The device consists of a durable housing, a replaceable cartridge and an internal filter. Filtering is based on physical capture of fibres and no chemicals are used at any stage of the process. The cartridges can be returned to PlanetCare for recycling, ensuring a completely closed loop system and a circular business model. Having a retention rate verified by third parties testing, Fibrestop has to possibility to nullify the microplastic pollution derived from washes, generating tangible benefits for the environment and the people.
The EIC funding will enable PlanetCare to optimize the Fibrestop and to perform all the validation activities necessary to obtain CE Mark and start commercialization in Europe.
PlanetCare has developed Fibrestop, the first built-in microfiber filter for washing machines. The device consists of a durable housing, a replaceable cartridge and an internal filter. Filtering is based on physical capture of fibres and no chemicals are used at any stage of the process. The cartridges can be returned to PlanetCare for recycling, ensuring a completely closed loop system and a circular business model. Having a retention rate verified by third parties testing, Fibrestop has to possibility to nullify the microplastic pollution derived from washes, generating tangible benefits for the environment and the people.
The EIC funding will enable PlanetCare to optimize the Fibrestop and to perform all the validation activities necessary to obtain CE Mark and start commercialization in Europe.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101010566 |
| Start date: | 01-11-2020 |
| End date: | 30-04-2023 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 2 267 500,00 Euro - 1 587 250,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Microplastics are small (< 5mm) plastic particles which constitute a large part of plastic pollution. Although less visible to the eye, microplastics have been found to be dispersed in all environmental compartments and have a great ability to enter, influence and endanger natural food webs. The Environmental Investigation Agency estimated that a total of 51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean, with up to 219,000 tonnes of microplastics entering the sea from Europe each year. Microplastic pollution caused by washing processes of synthetic textiles has recently been assessed as the main source of primary microplastics in the oceans. Standard washing machines do not include a microfiber filter and an effective solution to reduce fibre emissions is not available on the market.PlanetCare has developed Fibrestop, the first built-in microfiber filter for washing machines. The device consists of a durable housing, a replaceable cartridge and an internal filter. Filtering is based on physical capture of fibres and no chemicals are used at any stage of the process. The cartridges can be returned to PlanetCare for recycling, ensuring a completely closed loop system and a circular business model. Having a retention rate verified by third parties testing, Fibrestop has to possibility to nullify the microplastic pollution derived from washes, generating tangible benefits for the environment and the people.
The EIC funding will enable PlanetCare to optimize the Fibrestop and to perform all the validation activities necessary to obtain CE Mark and start commercialization in Europe.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2020-4Update Date
27-10-2022
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