Five game-changing innovations share $525,000 Conservation X Labs prize to end microplastic pollution
Summary
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of World Water Day (22 March), five trailblazing projects aiming to prevent the devastating impacts of microplastic pollution have won $525,000 as part of Conservation X Labs (CXL), , .The winners beat competition from 19 countries for their solutions to prevent shedding of microfibers that are shed into water systems when synthetic fabrics are washed. Tandem Repeat Technologies ( ) uses genetic sequencing and synthetic biology to produce a new fiber, Squitex, that is based on a unique protein structure originally found in squid tentacles. Mango Materials ( ) uses innovative manufacturing technology to turn methane from waste carbon emissions into biodegradable, biopolyester fibers. Microfibers have been detected at the top of Mount Everest as well as in animals living in the deepest part of the ocean. The ubiquity of microfibers means it is estimated we each consume a credit cards worth of plastic every week.Alex Dehgan, is available for interview.