ATU joins international alliance to combat plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and boost blue economy
In an effort to address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution in our oceans, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) announces its participation in the Blue Point project. This ambitious initiative, aimed at establishing a Blue Circular Economy, unites 13 partners from regions including Gipuzkoa, Cantabria, Asturias, Portugal, France, and Ireland in a collaborative mission to retrieve and repurpose marine plastics found in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a February 2022 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), our oceans contain a staggering 140 million tonnes of waste, with plastic constituting a troubling 80%. The Blue Point project will concentrate its efforts on the Bay of Biscay, targeting an estimated 55,000 tonnes of marine plastics affecting the Atlantic-Cantabrian coast.
The Blue Point project, officially launched at the Naturklima facility in San Sebastian, Spain, marks a pivotal moment in international cooperation. Dr David Tormey is leading ATU's research contribution with colleagues Dr Douglas Marques and Dr Aoife Hegarty. ATU's specific role in the project involves investigating the feasibility of sorting and cleaning macro plastics recovered from the oceans. The goal is to produce polymer filaments suitable for 3D printing processes, contributing to the broader mission of combatting plastic pollution.
Dr David Tormey said ATU was delighted to be partners in the Bluepoint project; “With the Atlantic Ocean on our doorstep, the blue economy offers us significant opportunities for economic prosperity coupled with the sustainable use of our oceans. We look forward to working with our European partners in turning the issue of marine plastics within our oceans into new opportunities for manufacturing and business development within our coastal communities.”
Speaking at the launch, José Ignacio Asensio, Secretary for Sustainability at the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, highlighted the project's significance in the fight against plastic pollution; "The oceans are our planet's most precious jewel, and plastic pollution is threatening their health and biodiversity. Blue Point seeks to retrieve and re-use marine plastics, establishing a sustainable value chain to benefit our local communities, encouraging the creation of jobs and new businesses in the Blue Economy."
The Blue Point project, spanning a 30-month period with a total budget of €3,363,464.32, emerged as a winner in the first round of the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme 2021-2027. This unique initiative not only tackles plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean but also champions sustainability, generating new opportunities for the Blue Economy.
By taking a holistic approach, Blue Point aims to identify and trade products and services arising from marine plastics, fostering research, business, and innovation for all stakeholders involved, from shipowners and ports to entrepreneurs and the wider public. This collaboration signifies a joint effort to address one of the most urgent problems of our time and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
More information about the project is available at www.bluepointproject.eu
Aidan Haughey
ATU Communications Manager /
Bainisteoir Cumarsáide OTA
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland
Tel: +353 86 086 6913
www.atu.ie/communications
Blue Point Partners including representatives from Atlantic Technological University at the official launch of the ambitious initiative, aimed at establishing a Blue Circular Economy, at the Naturklima facility in San Sebastian, Spain in December.
Irish Blue Point Partners (Dr Geard Dooley UL, Dr David Tormey ATU, Michelle O Rourke South East BIC)