Bio-on presents a revolutionary new technology to eliminate oil pollution in the sea within 3 weeks

Bologna (Italy) 5 June 2017 – Some innovations bring truly revolutionary change to the planet and this is why Bio-on is proud to present its new technology, Minerv Biorecovery, which enables hydrocarbon sea pollution to be eliminated within approximately three weeks. "From today we offer the world and the market the technology to take effective, natural and ecological action in the event of environmental disasters such as oil spills into the sea," explains Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, which announces the success of its research conducted in collaboration with IAMC-CNR in Messina. "We have discovered," explains Astorri, "that the particles forming our PHAs bioplastic are the ideal environment for hosting and feeding the special microorganisms that eliminate oil from the sea." The World Bank Group will support Bio-on in raising awareness of the benefits of this technology for safeguarding the oceans as part of the Connect4Climate programme.

Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, shares more about the new technology Minerv Biorecovery in a Facebook Live session with Max Thabiso Edkins, Connect4Climate, at the SDG Media Zone in Bologna, Italy, as part of #AllTheGreen week of activities in the lead up to the G7 Environment.

Minerv Biorecovery: How it works

Minerv Biorecovery is a technological solution made of micro powders, measuring just a few microns and of a particular shape, created out of Bio-on's revolutionary PHAs bioplastic that is natural and 100% biodegradable. The particles of these micro powders are thrown into polluted sea waters and form a porous structure housing a series of bacteria, naturally present in the marine environment, which feeds on the bioplastic, multiply and grow stronger until they attack the oil. The biodegradation processes activate within approximately 5 days and the degradable fraction of the hydrocarbons (e.g. oil) is eliminated in approximately 20 days.

"It is nature looking after itself," explains Astorri, "because of our bioplastic, which is biobased, helps protect and feed these bacteria, thus accelerating their natural action." The micro powders in Minerv Biorecovery are 100% biodegradable and therefore do not release any residue into the sea unlike many solutions used to date in these cases. The biodegradation process for PHAs powder is sufficiently slow (1-2 months depending on conditions) to allow the bioremediating action of the microorganisms which, after having eliminated the pollutants, return to normal levels in the marine environment.

Tests on Minerv Biorecovery have been ongoing for several months at IAMC-CNR in Messina, which has tested, measured and validated the technology. Thanks to these studies, Bio-on is able to define an entirely new application in the oil-bioremediation field - a targeted activity that aims to “remediate” the negative impact on the environment of polluting molecules and products such as hydrocarbons, thanks to the metabolic degradation, and biodegradation, of microorganisms.

This activity is carried out by companies specializing in environmental remediation, Harbour Master's Offices, Navy, sea traders, etc.

"The principle of oil-bioremediation," explains Dr Simone Cappello, leading the Bioremediation project at IAMC in Messina, "is based on the existence of microorganisms, bacteria mainly, which are capable of attacking the molecular structure of many of the components in the naturally complex formulation of hydrocarbons. These microorganisms," explains Cappello, "are present in the marine environment but in metabolic, physiological conditions and not in sufficient quantities to enable a substantial reduction of the hydrocarbon spills. It is thanks to PHAs bioplastic that it is now possible to encourage and accelerate the otherwise prolonged transformation to CO2, the end product of biodegradation. Using PHAs bioplastic is also safe for the environment and marine life because it leaves no trace."

In the coming weeks, further tests will be conducted in the seas around the world: at ports and at industrial sites such as the refineries and cisterns at major oil companies. The application of this new technology will allow cleaning not only in the event of disasters but also in the everyday maintenance of ports or industrial sites.

"We are proud to announce this extraordinary discovery and contribute to protecting the marine environment," says Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, "We will license this technology, which is a further example of the many applications made possible by the PHAs bioplastic micro powders we will produce at the plant in Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna) from 2018. We will continue to extend our direct presence even more in the bioremediation, cosmetics, biomedical and nanomedical sectors. Working with IAMC, a point of global excellence in marine research fills us with pride."

Minerv Biorecovery, like all the PHAs bioplastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on is made from renewable plant sources with no competition with food supply chains. It is 100% eco-sustainable and naturally biodegradable at ambient temperature.

Bio-on will license the Minerv Biorecovery technology in the course of 2017. Marine pollution remediation products will be available from 2018

Press information:  Angèlia S.r.l. Simona Vecchies; +393351245190; press@bio-on.it

Twitter: @BioOnBioplastic

Banner Photo Credits to Riccardo Savi/Connect4Climate