Microplastics are synthetic, high-molecular weight compounds that have been micronized into plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size.  Such materials have a low biodegradation rate and mostly remain in the environment and adversely affect the human body.

Primary microplastic type B is created during the use of larger plastic parts. A prominent example of this is tire abrasion. Secondary microplastics result from fragmentation or weathering of macroplastics in the environment, e.g. uncontrolled waste disposal.

According to the National Research Council of the Philippines:

The World Bank estimates that the Philippines use an overwhelming 163 million pieces of sachets per day. A staggering 2.3 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the country annually. Unfortunately, only 28% of key plastic resins are being recycled while the rest are simply discarded. So, where does the remaining 72% of these plastics go? To find it, one no longer needs to go to the nearest scrap shop but they can simply open their refrigerators.

Technical textiles account for approximately 0.6% of annual plastics production

When assessing the emitters of microplastics, it is also helpful to look at the production quantities of plastic. Approximately 360 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year. The share of technical textiles made of synthetic filament fibers is 34.5 million tons or 9.6%. The share of this processed in the construction industry is much lower at 1.4%. This includes a large proportion of textiles used in building construction (75% of the 1.4%). According to our own estimates, we assume that the share in the geosynthetics and agriculture sectors is a maximum of 0.57% or around 2 million tons. This includes the large market for simple gardening and landscaping textiles. Technically sophisticated textiles such as those offered by HUESKER are, in our opinion, less than 1 million tons (0.28%). However, we have no neutral and reliable statistics on this.

High safety through technical textiles

We make our contribution to improving environmental sustainability.

The risk of micro-plastic emissions from our technical textiles is very low and easily controlled, as our products are explicitly designed for a long service life. Microplastics can only be caused by mechanical, chemical or photochemical stress in the following four steps of the product life cycle and can be reduced to a minimum if used correctly.

Production

This phase covers the entire process until a technical textile is ready for sale. The responsibility for ensuring a reduction of micro-plastics lies with the manufacturers in this phase. Microplastics can be avoided here mainly during production or reintroduced into a reprocessing cycle in a controlled manner.

Installation

The installation of a technical textile or a product with technical textiles is mainly the responsibility of companies such as installers, construction companies, hall builders and craftsmen. During installation, mechanical stress on the textile is the only possible reason for physical degradation, provided that storage is carried out properly. Installation in accordance with the installation instructions, provided by us as the manufacturer, minimizes the effects of mechanical stress.

Use

During the actual service life of a textile, the owner of the building or product is responsible for its proper use. The main potential factors influencing the formation of microplastics from HUESKER products in the industrial and agricultural sectors are photochemical degradation or fragmentation due to mechanical loads. In the fields of civil engineering, infrastructure, water, mining and landfill construction, mechanical or chemical loads may be possible depending on the application.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction includes both the removal of technical textiles after use and the disposal or recycling of used products. The reduction of microplastic emissions is the responsibility of the companies involved in dismantling and disposal. Here, the textiles are subjected exclusively to mechanical loads which could lead to fragmentation of the material if not handled correctly. In most cases, technical textiles are currently disposed of by thermal disposal and are very well suited as a secondary fuel with a high calorific value.