Imagine a giant vacuum and filter system for rivers that catches plastic trash before it hits the ocean. It also replaces the harmful plastics in our soaps and creams with materials that dissolve naturally. To make it even smarter, it uses tiny water fleas and solar-powered platforms to scrub the water clean.
Rivers are deteriorating due to plastic and microplastic pollution, and current wastewater treatment plants lack the efficiency to stop these pollutants from reaching the ocean.
A suite of 14 technical solutions including solar-powered river cleaners, PHA-based biodegradable plastics, and microfiltration systems for wastewater plants.
If you are a plant operator dealing with microplastic contamination in effluent—this project developed filtration and elimination technologies that remove more than 90% of microplastics from both sludge and effluent streams.
If you are a brand owner dealing with plastic microbeads in your formulas—this project developed bio-based and biodegradable polymers like PHA blends that stop the formation of microplastics in consumer products.
If you are a service provider dealing with surface litter in urban waterways—this project developed solar-powered floating platforms capable of removing over 83% of litter, plastics, and microplastics from rivers.
Based on available project data, specific pricing for the technologies is not provided, although 300k EUR is allocated for cascade funding to help others replicate the solutions.
The project is implementing 14 solutions across five demonstration sites, including four wastewater treatment plants and a testing area on the Danube river.
Based on available project data, the project is creating a database of knowledge and sustainable business models to ensure wide accessibility, but specific licensing terms are not listed.
The project is currently in the phase of finalizing technical designs and manufacturing components for integrated prevention and removal systems at pilot sites.
The project period runs from September 2023 to August 2027, suggesting that full validation of the 14 solutions will be completed by late 2027.
The consortium is heavily geared toward commercialization, with a 45% industry ratio comprising 10 industrial partners, including 8 SMEs. The presence of Novamont, a world leader in bioplastics, combined with 8 research organizations and 3 universities across 11 countries, indicates a strong pipeline from lab-scale polymer design to large-scale riverine deployment.
Contact FUNDACION AITIIP in Spain for technical specifications on the 14 implemented solutions.
Contact us to connect with the UPSTREAM consortium for licensing bio-based polymer tech.
