The company behind a domestic and commercial scale filter used to capture microfibres released from clothing through the washing process is to receive a growth fund to establish a microplastic recycling centre in Cornwall.
The Cleaner Seas Group – a Cornwall-based team of surfers-turned-scientists – is set to receive £742,000 in funding from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Good Growth Fund, a major contribution towards the £990,000 it needs to build the facility.
The world-leading project will be set up in Bude in Cornwall and will operate to convert microfibre plastics into a new material for use across a host of industries. The facility will be a groundbreaking development for those concerned in the capture and eradication of global microplastics, a substance for which there has previously been no processing or recycling solution.
Cleaner Seas Group is focused on driving innovations that prevent microplastics from reaching the environment and oceans and has already seen success with the launch of its circular microfibre capture filter for domestic and commercial washing machines.
In partnership with leading UK academics and universities, the team has since developed a world first, emissions-free technique to convert captured microfibres into a new material for use in new products. According to the team, this output material has a multitude of properties and uses, from building materials to electric car battery components and more in between.
This material will be available for global supply.
The team was among a trio of Cornwall-based business to receive a share of a £3 million investment fund to power up local enterprises dealing in areas like composite materials and biotechnology. Phytome Research Limited secured £1.63m in Good Growth investment to create new research and development facilities focused on hi-tech indoor agriculture in Truro, while Piran Advanced Composites landed £649,000 to unify its business in one location in Newquay and turn it into an Advanced Aerostructures R&D Facility.
Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “Our region has a proud history of innovation and these investments from the Good Growth Programme are supporting some of our most innovative companies to commercially develop new ideas and technologies while creating skilled high-value jobs.
“Overall, we are investing £11.4 million in research, development, and innovation including specialist support and small grants for business, which are delivered through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub.
“As well as helping to boost business efficiency and productivity, many of these investments are supporting the journey to net zero, including the development of cutting-edge technological solutions to environmental issues.”
