22. March 2024

World Water day 2024 in the plastic age

We've all heard of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. But what era are we actually living in today? Perhaps most likely the "plastic age", also known as the Anthropocene ("determined by man"). The age of the disposable society began with the introduction of polymers and plastics into everyday life. And with it came the great promise that cheap plastic products would eliminate the need for laborious cleaning and repairs as well as numerous costs, such as those for transport. And so it was, but unfortunately for far too long people forgot to consider what happens at the end of a product (disposal) or to produce, process, use, and recycle products in a circular manner and beyond internal processes.
14. March 2024

Outlook: Water for Peace – World Water Day 2024

World Water Day celebrates water, teaches us about the importance of water in different contexts, and guides our thoughts and raises awareness of the more than 2.2 billion people worldwide who live without access to clean water. World Water Day is about raising the visibility and recognizing the value of water as well as taking action to protect water and tackle the global water crisis.
8. March 2024

WASoMI training platform launched

As an interdisciplinary team of experts on a mission for water without microplastics, it is our pleasure and concern to share our knowledge and make it accessible to the next generation in the simplest and most appealing way possible. The basis for FREIRÄUME is provided by the scientifically sound digital-real educational space WASoMI. Our chemists, environmental scientists and sustainability experts have contributed their knowledge to it. Thanks to the support of the Postcode Lottery participants, we were able to implement the FREIRÄUME project last year and take the wealth of knowledge about water without microplastics to the next level.
2. February 2024

Microplastics in industrial wastewater

Steigende gesetzliche Regulationen für Polymere, Kunststoffe und Mikroplastik, hohe Kosten für Wasser, Abfälle, Energie, Chemikalien und die Instandhaltung von Anlagen sowie komplexe Verschmutzungsszenarien - Unternehmen, die in ihren Prozessen viel Wasser, Polymere und weitere Chemikalien einsetzen, stehen vor der Herausforderung ihr Umwelt-, Abfall- und Ressourcenmanagements neu auszurichten. Mit dem Verfahren Wasser 3.0 PE-X® steht erstmals eine adaptive Komplettlösung für ein nachhaltiges und kosteneffizientes Sustainability Upgrade für die industrielle Wasserbehandlung zur Verfügung. Der Schwerpunkt des Verfahrens, das auf Green Chemistry, low-tech Anlagen und kreislaufwirtschaftliche Prozesse setzt, liegt in der Entfernung von Mikroplastik. Bei geringen Anschaffungs- und Betriebskosten verbessern sich dabei nicht nur die Wasserqualität, sondern auch Ressourcennutzung, Abfallaufkommen und Energieverbrauch.
19. January 2024

Forever Chemicals – PFAS (Part 2)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – synthetic “forever chemicals” – have become a substantial and pervasive global challenge. They have managed to infiltrate diverse ecosystems, contaminate water sources, and accumulate in human bodies. They are incredibly persistent and have significant adverse effects on both human health and the environment. Acting now to unravel the complexity of the PFAS problem and implement effective solutions is critical to prevent further accumulation in the environment and secure a healthier future for generations to come. Part two of our PFAS blog series will address the health risks associated with PFAS and the EU’s recently proposed restriction.
8. January 2024

Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants

Microplastics and highly viscous oligomers (including soluble polymers) cannot yet be removed within the purification stages of a wastewater treatment plant. For this reason alone, sewage treatment plants are considered to be emitters of microplastics into the environment. Read more in our blog.
23. September 2023

Washing machine study on microplastics published

In one of our last studies on the topic of microplastics, we looked at typical everyday questions relating to washing. One question was: Are washing machines really a hotspot for microplastics? Another was: What can everyone do quickly and easily at home to reduce the input of microplastics from textiles? Answers can be found in the blog and in our publication.