BMRex, a European project designed to develop a technology for the removal and degradation of nano- and microplastics, is launched
The impact of the high global demand for plastics in the 20th century is causing major problems for the environment and our health. Currently, one third of all plastic waste generated ends up on land or in freshwater. In fact, our seas and oceans already contain millions of tonnes of plastic which, over time, disintegrate into microplastics (particles smaller than 1 millimetre in size), and these break down further into nanoplastics (particles smaller than 0.2 micrometres in size). These microplastics and the nanoparticles generated pose a great threat to life on this planet, from plants and animals to humans, as they end up entering our food chains and therefore our organisms.
A change in the so-called plastic economy is essential, which must evolve into a system that preserves the value and benefits of plastics, eliminating their waste and the problems they generate. To this end, work is being done on the use of enzymes capable of degrading micro- and nanoplastics and preventing them from escaping into the environment. However, the complexity and breadth of plastics pose a major challenge for the development of real solutions that will lead to real progress in this field. In this context, the BMRex project, led by Dr. Jonas Gurauskis, CSIC ARAID researcher at the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, INMA, a joint institute of CSIC and the University of Zaragoza, aims to achieve significant progress by deploying a novel biocatalytic reactor design, as well as extending its knowledge and expertise in biocatalysis, materials chemistry, molecular biology, additive manufacturing and optogenetics.
In addition, the BMRex project is expected to provide a new impetus for the removal of other critical pollutants (such as heavy metals, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals or other hormonally active chemicals), but also to have a potential impact on applications related to energy (catalysts, flue gas purification, etc.) and sustainable bio-manufacturing (pharmaceutical and food industries).
As project leader Jonas Gurauskis, CSIC ARAID researcher at the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, INMA, (CSIC/UNIZAR), says: “BMREx brings a radically new technology that boosts microkinetic and spatio-temporal performance by combining tangential flow filtration technology with novel biocatalysis and materials chemistry concepts. This revolutionary approach will open up new strategies for plastic capture and removal from wastewater that will ensure our health and that of the entire ecosystem affected by one of the most challenging threats”.
A large international team behind the BMRex project:
The international consortium created for the development of the project and led by CSIC has received the Pathfinder Open grant of €3,213,793.75 from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and grant of £267.683,00 from the UK Innovation Funding Agency (UKRI) to develop a new technological approach for the efficient degradation of micro- and nanoplastics.
BMRex brings cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs. It will be carried out through the collaboration of six leading research laboratories and three industrial partners: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) through INMA, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) and Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biomateriales (CIC biomaGUNE) from Spain, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU, Denmark), the University of Mainz (JGUM, Germany), the Swansea University (United Kingdom), Cetaqua (Spain), Repsol SA (Spain) and ASA Spezialenzyme GMBH (ASA, Germany). The nine BMREx partners will pool their knowledge and experience in complementary fields to work on each of the components of the novel biocatalytic membrane reactor. The result will be the most efficient and scalable solution for removing plastic from the water cycle through enzymatic capture and degradation, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.
More information:
https://bmrex-project.eu
This project has received funding from Pathfinder Open 2022, a European Innovation Council (EIC) work programme that is part of Horizon Europe (grant agreement no. 101099528) and and UK Innovation Funding Agency (UKRI) (reference no.10062709).
The project has been funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
22/05/2023
