Research and Innovation for the sustainable use of water
The presence of microplastics in water is one of the emerging environmental challenges for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the quality of water resources. These tiny particles can come from a variety of sources, including the washing of synthetic textiles, and reach rivers and the sea after passing through conventional wastewater treatment systems.
Against this backdrop, Plastikóre is developing an advanced technology to remove microfibres and microplastics from wastewater. The project, a spin-off of the University of Girona (UdG) and the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), has been recognised in the latest edition of the SpinUOC programme, organised by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), receiving both the Public Award and the Ramon Molinas Foundation Award for Social Impact.
The technology developed by Plastikóre has so far delivered promising results, with a removal capacity of between 85% and 95% of the microfibres present in wastewater in the tests conducted to date. The project is now working to further validate the technology and move towards pilot testing in real-world environments.
Plastikóre’s approach is based on a physical process that does not require chemical reagents, with the aim of avoiding the generation of toxic waste during treatment.
The technology combines different components that work together to capture, separate and recover the microfibres present in water. The system uses magnetic particles capable of attaching to microplastics, a coarse-sand reactor that helps retain microfibres, and a magnetic system that extracts the captured particles.
This combination makes it possible to develop a new treatment stage with low energy consumption and an approach focused on recovering the separated materials.
Conventional wastewater treatment processes are mainly designed to remove solids, organic matter and nutrients. Although some microplastics may be retained during these processes, wastewater treatment plants were not specifically designed to remove these particles.
Growing concern about emerging contaminants and developments in the European regulatory framework are driving the development of new treatment technologies. European Directive 2024/3019 on urban wastewater treatment establishes new requirements for the removal of micropollutants and provides for the introduction of quaternary treatment at wastewater treatment plants.
In this context, technologies capable of removing microplastics and other emerging contaminants will become increasingly important in the transition towards more efficient and sustainable sanitation systems.
Plastikóre is also an example of the potential of knowledge transfer in the water sector, connecting research developed within the university and scientific environment with the needs of the sector.
The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-4 and is being validated through proof-of-concept tests in the laboratory. The project aims to move towards pilot testing to assess its performance under conditions closer to real-world operation.
The solution is primarily aimed at urban wastewater treatment plants, the textile industry and engineering companies in the water sector, with different potential applications depending on the characteristics of each facility.
The ultimate goal is to help reduce the amount of microplastics reaching the environment while advancing towards more circular, efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment models.
The project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 14 (Life Below Water).
