A new Danish centre for research in marine plastic pollution

7 December 2018

A grant of DKK 20 million from VELUX FONDEN will enable the establishment of a new centre for research in marine plastic pollution. The centre will gather researchers across universities and academic disciplines.

Plastic debris polluting the sea is a growing environmental problem that calls for efficient and climate-neutral solutions. However, there is a need for comprehensive knowledge about types of pollution, effects on the ecosystems of the sea, spreading of the pollution, sustainable alternatives, etc.

Researchers from Aalborg University (AAU), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Roskilde University (RUC), Aarhus University (AU) and the National Museum of Denmark (NatMus) therefore join forces to develop knowledge and solutions. The new centre is made possible due to a grant of DKK 20 million from VELUX FONDEN.

"To understand plastic pollution and suppress it, we need coordinated efforts that utilise the overall expertise in the best way possible. We are therefore very pleased to support the establishment of the new research centre, bringing together competence and competent researchers in the development of new knowledge as well as innovative and concerted solutions," says Ane Hendriksen, Executive Director of VELUX FONDEN.

Knowledge and solutions
MarinePlastic

The Danish centre for research in marine plastic pollution

A collaboration between AAU, DTU, AU, NatMus and RUC with headquarters at AAU in Aalborg.

MarinePlastic will be officially launched on 1 February 2019. For the next for four years the researchers will work intensively on developing a research-based understanding of types of pollution, sources, frequency and the environmental consequences of marine plastic pollution.

A grant of DKK 20 million from VELUX FONDEN has enabled the establishment of the centre

Professor Jes Vollertsen from Aalborg University will head the research centre. Although MarinePlastic will fundamentally contribute new knowledge, the aim is also to develop targeted solutions, says Jes Vollertsen:

‘We need new knowledge and a better understanding of the problem to develop solutions and battle marine plastic pollution before it becomes an environmental disaster. The aim is to bring our shared knowledge and expertise into use for the benefit of the world by developing targeted technological solutions and beneficial initiatives in cooperation with decision makers," says Jes Vollertsen, director of MarinePlastic Center, based at Aalborg University.

MarinePlastic will consider plastic pollution from several angles, and among other things accumulate information about the types, sources, occurence, spreading, breakdown causes and the consequences. Marine plastic pollution is caused by all sizes of plastic materials ranging from gigantic discarded fishing nets and household waste to microplastics and nanoplastics.

Partners working towards a common aim

While AAU is heading the research centre and coordinating the collaboration, each of the research groups contribute their expertise to better understand and solve the complex challenges of plastic pollution.

The sea – a part of the solution

VELUX FONDEN wishes to contribute to a sustainable balance between the use and the conservation of marine resources. Read more about our focus on the marine environment.

Photo: Ryan Metcalfe – KIMO Danmark

Nyheder