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Encapsulated biocide cocktail for minimal toxicity

Our environment is polluted by a variety of different chemicals. One significant source of emissions is the uncontrolled leakage of biocides from antimicrobial and antifouling products. We, therefore, have the need to develop a sustainable antifouling technology that significantly reduces the dispersal of biocides into the environment.

The major threat posed to our health and environment by toxic chemicals is now widely accepted by the public and regulatory authorities. In recent times, particular concerns have been raised concerning the interaction of toxic chemicals to produce a greater common threat, a process commonly known as synergy. Biocides are of particular interest given the fact that these are specifically designed to be toxic to organisms.

One major problem with current biocidal products is that the choice of biocide is not optimised and the biocide leaks out too rapidly. This broad product category encompasses everything from antibacterial clothing and hygiene products to fishing nets and antifouling paint for boat hulls. To compensate for a rapid loss of antibacterial effect, products are overdosed with biocides, leading to an unjustifiable quantity of biocides leaching into the environment.

Goal

One of the interim objectives of the project is to investigate the combinational effects of two common classes of biocides with a large potential for synergism.

The project will also apply the above results to developing a sustainable antifouling or antimicrobial fibre material. There are two cornerstones to this technology:

  1. controlled slow release of biocides from microcapsules
  2. optimised synergistic combinations.

The concept is based on the biocides acting synergistically with the product’s surface, while the synergistic effect disappears as biocides are diluted farther away from the product surface. While the impact on fouling organisms close to the product's surface will be maintained, the impact on non-target organisms in the environment will, therefore, be negligible.

Project members

Chalmers University of Technology Lars Nordstierna

University of Gothenburg Thomas Backhaus  och Åsa Arrhenius

 

 

Summary

Project name

SynCap

Status

Completed

RISE role in project

Project coordinator, research practitioner

Project start

Duration

4 years

Partner

Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg, RISE

Funders

FORMAS

Coordinators

Project members

Markus Andersson Trojer

Contact person

Markus Andersson Trojer

Forskare

Read more about Markus

Contact Markus
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