MICROPLASTICS INNOVATION SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD

An innovation designed in Bath that could help to tackle the growing issue of microplastics in water has been shortlisted for a national award.

FilTerra is the brainchild of University of Bath engineering students Niyaz Kanayev, 22, and Tim Girling, 23.

Developed for water treatment companies, FilTerra is a biochar-based filter that captures microplastics during the recycling process before sludge is repurposed as fertiliser.

The innovation picked up first prize at the university’s Bath Beyond Boundaries competition, funded by charity EIBF.

Now, the duo has been shortlisted in EIBF’s Champion of Champions Competition, which will see them compete against nine other talented groups of students from across the UK.

Niyaz said: “We all want less plastic in our food, and it starts on the fields.

“Reducing microplastics from our food supply will attempt to tackle the pressing issue of contamination of plastics and poor health.

“By preventing microplastics from contaminating the sludge, FilTerra helps protect the food chain and public health. Made from recycled organic waste, FilTerra is cost-effective and carbon neutral.

“Its high surface area makes it highly efficient at trapping microplastics, preventing harmful contaminants from entering the food chain. By retrofitting filters into the existing systems, FilTerra offers an affordable solution for both public and private water companies, helping ensure cleaner recycling practices without burdening taxpayers or farmers.”

The Champion of Champions grand final will take place at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 8 November, where the FilTerra team will compete for a share of the £16,500 prize pot, providing vital seed money to help winners develop their innovation.

Winners will also receive mentoring from business leaders who are members of the Sainsbury Management Fellows network, plus CV packages from PurpleCV and entrepreneurial books from Cambridge University Press and Double your Price, an award-winning book by David Falzani MBE, which covers how pricing works with practical insights, tools and actionable guidance.

The event, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, is the culmination of a year of EIBF-sponsored enterprise competitions held across UK universities, with thousands of undergraduate and graduates taking part.

Each year, EIBF champions business education for engineers and supports universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering students who develop ideas that can make a positive impact on society.

On being shortlisted for the grand final, Niyaz said: “We want to push idea to a limit and see how far we go. You lose 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Joanne Pike, Programme Manager, Faculty of Engineering and Design at University of Bath, said: “As a faculty, we’re immensely proud of Niyaz and Tim for their initiative in developing FilTerra. Their application of engineering skills to tackle the issue of microplastics is truly inspiring. It exemplifies how our students can make a meaningful impact through innovation and dedication.”