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Zero plastic

SOLUTUM
AN ISRAELI START-UP DESIGNS
A 100% SOLUBLE “PLASTIC”

By exploring various materials to produce biodegradable
plastic, the Israeli chemical engineer Sharon Barak
developed a unique material which can dissolve in water.
“This plastic can biodegrade in the ocean in 90 days, as
the materials are naturally broken down by bacteria”,
the designer explained during Monaco Ocean Week.
Made from ecological materials, without toxic residues
or microplastics, this innovative plastic - named Solutum
by the eponymous start-up - offers an alternative to
traditional single-use plastics.
A solution to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean
presented live from the Capsule Building at Tel Aviv
University, a sustainable energy laboratory building with
a green roof.

© Chen Wagshall

NANO CAPTIS
FILTERING NANOPLASTICS

Each time we wash synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon,
acrylic, etc.), we release microparticles which flood into
the ocean. This invisible pollution has a significant effect
on the ocean and the species living in it. How can we
tackle nano-contamination by these plastics, which
are currently undetectable by water processing plants?
Mindful of these issues, the companies Phoenix H2O
and Nano Captis, in partnership with a US research
centre, have designed plastic nano-particle filters for
washing machines. During Monaco Ocean Week, the
designers presented the story of this innovation, as well
as promising results after an initial test phase. 90% of
plastic fibres are captured by this filter, which will start
production soon.