Turning the tide | How Deeptech is battling marine pollution

Beneath the shimmering surface lies a hidden peril: marine pollution, a menacing concoction of chemical contaminants and plastic debris. Common marine debris includes single-use plastics such as plastic shopping bags, beverage bottles, cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, and fishing gear. Plastic waste is particularly concerning because it is incredibly durable, taking hundreds of years to decompose. Factors such as littering, storm winds, coupled with fast-fashion, global pandemic influencing an increase in the use of PPEs, Face masks, gloves and poor waste management practices contribute to this growing problem.

80 percent of the debris originates from land-based sources.

Marine pollution is a growing problem. From toxic algal blooms to the insidious spread of microplastics, our marine ecosystems are under siege.

Microplastics are less than 5mm in diameter and have been detected in several marine species including planktons and whales as well as drinking water in food items such as salt and honey.

There are further, two categories of microplastics; Primary & Secondary Microplastics. Primary?microplastics?are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as?cosmetics, as well as microfibers shed from clothing and other?textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary microplastics?are particles that result from the breakdown of larger?plastic?items, such as water bottles. On beaches,?microplastics?are visible as tiny multicolored?plastic?bits in sand.?

When smaller organisms feed on tiny bits of broken-down plastic they absorb the chemicals from these microplastics into their tissues which then moves up the food chain as larger animals consume these smaller ones. Ultimately, this means that microplastics and their associated toxins can end up in the seafood we eat, posing potential risks to human health. A study in 2021 detected microplastic fragments in the placentas of newborn babies.

Plastics?can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose and today, we produce about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. It poses serious health, environmental, and economic threats.

If we don't alter our methods of producing, utilising and discarding plastic, the quantity of plastic waste flowing into air, soil, water especially aquatic ecosystems could almost triple. Estimates suggest it could rise from 9-14 million tonnes per year in 2016 to a projected 23-37 million tonnes per year by 2040.

So what do we do now ...

The EU has set the target to reduce microplastics pollution by 30% by 2030. This is part of broader efforts, including restrictions on single-use plastics and maximizing the circulation of plastic within the economy. On an individual level, adopting zero-waste lifestyles and making small habit changes—like using reusable cups for takeaway coffees (often incentivised with discounts) and seeking refill options for products—can contribute to these efforts. However, these measures only scratch the surface of the larger issue.

As a result, finding suitable replacements has become a critical topic of discussion.

We need to rethink and explore how innovation can help us drive this forward; can plastics we need be redesigned and brought into the economy in a way that allows for their reuse, make them biodegradable and environment-friendly?

??Who needs a superhero when you've got deeptech

The same traits that make plastics so handy — their toughness and long-lasting nature — also make them a nightmare for nature to break down. But guess what? Scientists, companies, and startups are already cracking the code and making strides in this area!

In the Spotlight

• BioPlaster | Crafting eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics using the power of algae. Their work includes the creation of algae-based materials like water-soluble plastic films, thermoplastic pellets, biodegradable yarn, and bio-styrofoam
• Ourobio - Transforming dairy industry byproducts into sustainable PHA packaging solutions through innovative fermentation processes.
• Mango Materials | Introducing YOPP PHA Pellets, a naturally occurring biopolymer produced from waste biogas (methane). These pellets can incorporated into conventional plastics supply chains.
• BIOWEG | This German startup has developed a proprietary biopolymer that is three times more effective than plastic and biodegrades in 60 days. They collaborate with leading multinationals to replace solid microplastics (PMMA, Nylon 6, and Nylon 12) in cosmetics and personal care products.
• Capra Biosciences | From bio-retinol to lubricants, Capra is bringing biological technoeconomics and scaling to make bio-derived products identical to and cost-competitive with their petrochemical analogs.
• Novoloop | Innovating plastic recycling with their proprietary ATOD (Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition) process, which breaks down polyethylene into chemical building blocks for high-value products. Novoloop calls this "Lifecycling" and is building a pilot chemical recycling plant in India to convert low-value waste into high-value materials. Thus, giving plastic second life!
• Rheom (formerly Bucha Bio) | Introducing BENREE?, a line of fully bio-based pellets for injection moulding. This versatile hard bioplastic can be used in existing injection moulding machines, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
• Avantium | Producing chemicals from renewable sources for various consumer goods, such as plastics and textiles. Their flagship products, FDCA and plantMEG?, enable the production of PEF, a 100% plant-based and recyclable plastic with superior performance. PEF is essential for making PET or PEF resin for bottles and packaging, fibers for apparel, furniture, automotive applications, and solvents (e.g., paint and coatings) and coolants.
• Ecovative | Developing fully compostable high-performance foams made from 100% pure mycelium. Using their AirMycelium? process, this foam can be customised for various industries and product applications.
• The Ocean Cleanup | Started in 2016 by Boyan Slat, Founder & CEO, The Ocean Cleanup aims to reach a 90% reduction of floating ocean plastic by 2040. It has technologies to intercept plastic in rivers before it reaches the ocean as well as technologies to remove the plastic that is already out there—debris that has been building up for decades.

Community Corner & Breakthroughs

But Cork first!

Inspiring work led by a young scientist from Cork, placed third in the Young Inventors Prize at the European Inventor Award 2023. His work uses magnetised food-grade solution to bind with microplastic particles, enabling their separation from water through the use of magnets. The latest prototype, backed by Robert Downey Jr.'s Footprint Coalition, removes over 85% of microplastics in a single pass and is safe for use in drinking water. This process does not require filters and generates zero waste, retaining nearly all the magnetic liquid while effectively removing the microplastics.

Microplastics are widely used in industrial products to protect active ingredients from degradation caused by air or moisture and to enable the gradual release of these ingredients over time. A team of scientists at MIT and other institutions has developed a silk-based system that offers an inexpensive and easily manufactured alternative. Pesticides and herbicides are often encapsulated in a similar way but until now, no practical or economical biodegradable option has been available. In lab tests, researchers demonstrated that silk-based coating material could be applied using standard spray-based manufacturing equipment to create a water-soluble microencapsulated herbicide. When tested on a corn crop in a greenhouse, the silk-coated herbicide outperformed a commercial product, causing less damage to the plants. Silk is considered GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) due to its nontoxic and biodegradable properties.

From biodegradable alternatives to plastics to groundbreaking recycling technologies, the efforts of scientists, startups, and global initiatives offer a beacon of hope for our environment.

As guardians of the planet, we hold the power to make a difference. Let's join the crew and amplify their efforts by ?? Embracing a zero-waste lifestyle and opting for reusable alternatives whenever possible. ??? Minimising the use of single-use plastics and ditching those 'microbeads' based products. ?? Let's advocate for policies that protect and preserve our environment.

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