Project description
New device to reduce microfibre pollution
Microplastic pollution represents a serious threat to the oceans and to natural food webs. Microplastics are small plastic particles released during the washing processes of synthetic textiles due to the absence of microfibre filters in standard washing machines and other effective solutions that reduce the amount of fibres entering the environment. The EU-funded Fibrestop project is developing an advanced built-in microfibre filter for washing machines based on the chemical-free capturing of fibres. The product consists of a durable container, a replaceable cartridge and an internal filter. Successfully tested, it represents a possibility to end the microplastic pollution that derives from washing machines. The project aims to optimise the product and perform validation operations for commercialisation in Europe.
Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.