Materials News
Scientists and engineers from UK’s University of Bath’s Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT), has developed beads made from cellulose, w h i ch i s t h e m a t e r i a l t h a t f o r m s t h e t o u g h f i b r e s found in wood and plants. In this process, the scientists dissolve the cellulose to reform it into tiny beads by forming droplets that are then “set”.
Nevertheless, there is already significant gain. A new study carried out by the University of Plymouth showed evidences of major companies taking action to remove microbeads in their products.
Latest study by the University of Plymouth indicated significant improvement in terms of the levels of microbeads found in sampled cosmetics products
Microscope picture of cellulose microbeads
These microbeads are robust enough to remain stable in a body wash, yet can be brok en down by organisms at the sewage treatment works, or even i n t h e e nv i r o n m e n t i n a s h o rt p e r i o d o f t i m e , t h e team said. T h e r e s e a r ch e r s a n t i c i p a t e t h e y c o u l d u s e cellulose from a range of “waste” sources, including f r o m t h e p a p e r m a k i n g i n d u s t r y a s a r e n e wa b l e source of raw material. Their study was published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The microbeads from cellulose biodegrades into h a r m l e s s s u ga r s a n d t h e b e a d s a r e m a d e u s i n g a solution of cellulose, which is forced through tiny holes in a tubular membrane, creating spherical d r o p l e t s o f t h e s o l u t i o n , w h i ch a r e wa s h e d a wa y from the membrane using vegetable oil. The beads are then collected, set and separated from the oil b e f o r e u s e . T h e p hy s i c a l p r o p e rt i e s o f t h e b e a d s c a n b e t w e a k e d b y ch a n g i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e c e l l u l o s e , f o r e x a m p l e , m a k i n g t h e b e a d s h a r d e r. The cellulose beads maybe developed for PCCPs, as well as agricultural applications. A winning cause To c a m p a i g n a g a i n s t t h e u s e o f m i c r o b e a d s i n PCCPs is hard work that is now paying off. Although already several countries worldwide have phased out microbeads or are in the process of doing so, still, there are countries that have not done so.
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JUNE / JULY 2018
In an earlier study done in 2015, the University’s PhD student Imogen Napper and Professor Richard Thompson, Head of the International Marine Litter Re s e a r ch U n i t , s u b j e c t e d s i x p r o d u c t s t o v a c u u m filtration and subsequent analysis using electron m i c r o s c o p y s h o w e d t h a t e a ch 15 0 m l o f t h e p r o d u c t s c o u l d c o n t a i n b e t w e e n 13 7, 0 0 0 a n d 2 . 8 million microparticles. The latest study, however, indicates significant improvement in terms of the levels of microbeads found in the studied cosmetics products. S i m i l a r l y, t h e B e a t t h e M i c r o b e a d c a m p a i g n launched by Plastic Soup organisation has shown a positive traction. The International Campaign against Microplastic Ingredients in Cosmetics, a dri ve that is supported by 95 NGOs from 40 c o u n t r i e s a n d r e g i o n s , h a s r e p o rt e d t h a t t o - d a t e , 448 brands from 119 different manufacturer s have p l e d g e d t o r e m ov e p l a s t i c m i c r o b e a d s f r o m t h e i r products. Meanwhile, the European trade association Cosmetics Europe announced in May that over 97% of plastic microbeads have already been phased out from cosmetics, as a result of its campaign f r o m 2 012 t o 2 017. T h i s d e c r e a s e r e p r e s e n t s ov e r 4,250 tonnes of plastic microbeads substituted and removed. Loïc Armand, President of Cosmetics Europe, said that the efforts the industry has put into involves research, investment and reformulation – processes that are lengthy, complex and costly, Armand also said the availability of suitable alternatives has played a critical role. N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e ch a l l e n g e s , t h e p o s i t i v e result shows that the industry is on track with its goal of removing all plastic microbeads in PCCPs by 2020.