Microplastic Degradation Using Microbial Consortium
Overview
Microplastic pollution has drawn a great attention on marine ecosystem. This project develops a biological method to degrade microplastic through microbial consortium.
Technical name of innovation
Microbial Consortium for Microplastic Degradation
Research completion
2024
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed
Microplastic refers to solid polymer with dimensions less than 5 mm. Laundry is one of the sources of microplastic fibres in waterway. When the laundry sewage are released to ocean without proper treatment, the microplastic fibres would pose a threat to lives in water. Using microbial consortium to bio-degrade microplastic is an energy-efficient alternative approach to convention microplastic filtration.
Innovation
- An in-situ microplastic digestion system as the microbial consortium can be placed in sludge near factories or sewage plants.
- No membrane filtration nor chemicals are required to remove microplastic fibres, saving energy and the use of chemicals.
Key impact
- Properties of different microbes and their enzymes are studied and identified as the optimal combination of consortium for microplastic degradation.
- The identified microbial consortium can handle various types of synthetic fibres, including polyester, nylon, and acrylic.
Award
- Gold Medal in the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2023)
Application
- Microplastic fibres removal and degradation
- Sewage and sludge treatment
Patent
- 22023068893.3 (Hong Kong)
- PCT/IB2023/051703 (PCT)
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
Established in 2006, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government, and hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
HKRITA has achieved research deliverables over the years around our research clusters targeting in sustainability, industry advancement and social benefits through our centre-owned research teams and laboratories as well as collaborations with industry partners and institutions.
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