Microplastics

Scientists have developed a new fibre fragmentation scale which, if adopted by industry, could be displayed on clothing labels, similar to the way many food manufacturers display calorie information on packaging.

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) has released a new report on efforts being made to address fibre fragmentation from textiles, also known as microfibre pollution, and showcases industry progress to address the issue even as it exhorts industry-wide engagement to address the multi-faceted challenge.

The St. Lawrence River and its estuary drain approximately 25 per cent of the world’s fresh water and more than 45 million people live nearby. By travelling along the river, microplastic contamination can eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean. This situation is worrisome as it helps predict future loads of microplastics in marine waters.

Creating an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics is only one part of the long road to viability and it is with this goal that researchers have developed algae-based “completely biodegradable” polymers.

Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, better known by the shorter EMPA, have found that some of the supposed nanoplastics released during textile washing are not nanoplastics, but are actually clumps of water-insoluble oligomer molecules.

New limit value for the total fluorine content in PFAS, active risk identification for microplastic release in manufacturing processes and leather materials traceability feature are among the new regulations issued by the Oeko-Tex Association.