Plastikóre, a spin-off born from the University of Girona and the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), has developed a quaternary treatment technology designed to remove between 85 % and 95 % of microfibers from wastewater without generating toxic byproducts. The innovation addresses a critical environmental challenge as microplastics from synthetic laundry, cosmetics, and additives increasingly bypass standard wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to enter aquatic ecosystems and the food chain.
The project earned recognition at the SpinUOC entrepreneurship program hosted by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), securing both the public prize and the Ramon Molinas Foundation award for social impact.
How the Chemical-Free Filtration Process Works
The system relies on a physical process rather than chemical reagents. By combining three distinct technological steps, the setup captures, separates, and recovers microfibers while maintaining a low energy footprint.
First, microscopic magnets attach themselves to the plastic particles. Next, a coarse sand reactor retains the microfibers. Finally, a magnetic system extracts the microplastics from the water stream. Because the process operates without chemical reagents, it avoids producing toxic waste, distinguishing it from conventional alternatives currently on the market.
“Plastikóre aporta una solución concreta y medible a un problema global como es la contaminación por microplásticos,” said Marcel Bassachs, a project participant, UOC cultural management master’s graduate, and knowledge transfer specialist. He emphasized the importance of translating laboratory research into practical technologies that protect aquatic ecosystems and improve territorial water quality.
Aligning With New European Union Wastewater Regulations
The arrival of this technology coincides with updated regulatory standards across the European Union. Directive (UE) 2024/3019 mandates that urban wastewater treatment plants incorporate quaternary treatment stages capable of eliminating at least the 80 % of a broad spectrum of microcontaminants, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic residues.
To meet these requirements, Plastikóre targets a business-to-business (B2B) market model. The company plans to offer technological services, maintenance, and technical assistance tailored to municipal treatment operators, textile industries, and water sector engineering firms.
Next Steps for Real-World Validation
The technology currently sits at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3 to 4, undergoing laboratory-scale proof-of-concept validation. The research team aims to launch initial pilot tests in real-world operational conditions over the next one to two years to pave the way for commercialization.
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