Tenerife Partners With University of La Laguna to Advance Microplastic Research
Tenerife has launched a €1.08 million research partnership with the University of La Laguna to utilize advanced microscopy and clean-room technology to track microplastics and improve regional waste management.
Waste management in Tenerife is becoming more scientifically advanced, following a recent visit by the Island Director of Waste, Alejandro Molowny, to the University of La Laguna (ULL). This partnership, part of a contract with the joint venture UTE Nivaria, aims to modernize waste treatment through cutting-edge research.
The project is backed by 1,083,000 euros in funding from the Island Council and will run until 2028. Led by Professor of Analytical Chemistry Javier Hernández Borges, the team is studying how microplastics carry organic compounds—a complex process that requires precise lab work. To prevent contamination from airborne fibers, the university has installed an ISO6-certified "Clean Room" with a controlled environment.
The facility also features a Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) microscopy system, the only one of its kind in the Canary Islands. This technology can automatically identify the chemical makeup and shape of plastic particles in difficult samples, such as compost, sediment, and various types of water.
This collaboration has also led to the creation of the PolAR transfer unit. Managed by the AChem research group, this unit provides technical support and microplastic testing for wastewater and drinking water to public agencies and private organizations. This initiative significantly improves the Canary Islands' ability to track emerging pollutants, helping local authorities meet tightening European standards for water quality and environmental plastic management.