Imagine if you could use a consumer product to filter microplastics from your drinking water—or even better, if water treatment plants could eliminate microplastics and antibiotics before the water ever reaches our bodies or the environment.

This vision is becoming a reality, says Dr. Orlando Rojas, Scientific Director of UBC’s BioProducts Institute. His team has developed a wood-based filter capable of removing up to 99.9 per cent of microplastic particles from water. This groundbreaking research addresses one of the growing global challenges of our time: the pervasive presence of microplastics in our oceans and even within the human body.

“Our solution goes beyond conventional filters, which rely primarily on physical separation,” explains Dr. Rojas. “Instead, we use plant-derived compounds to adsorb microplastics making our approach both highly effective and sustainable.”

Although still in the early stages of development, this project has the potential to transform water purification technologies on every scale—from household applications to large-scale industrial systems.

Dr. Rojas believes donor support will be critical to accelerating the transition from lab-scale research to real-world implementation.

“We’re at the forefront of discovery, but scaling up requires significant resources,” Dr. Rojas notes. “Donor funding will be essential in bridging the gap between the lab and commercialization, allowing us to take these solutions to communities worldwide.”

As a Canada Excellence Research Chair at UBC, Dr. Rojas leads a multidisciplinary team of 60 researchers—together, they are dedicated to transforming plant resources and by-products into sustainable materials. With Canada’s vast natural wealth, including its expansive forests, many other exciting opportunities exist.

“We aim to develop materials and solutions that serve society while minimizing environmental impact,” explains Dr. Rojas. “My broader mission is to establish a pan-Canadian bioproducts strategy that tackles diverse societal challenges, from consumer products to advanced materials.”

The Bioproducts Institute’s research exemplifies FORWARD, the campaign for UBC’s promise and potential to create solutions for the planet. UBC’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship has been instrumental in the success of Dr. Rojas’ work.

“UBC recognized the importance of sustainability early on, invested heavily in this area,” he says. “Our focus now is on advancing development and scaling solutions. Continued donor funding will be vital in achieving these goals.”

Through their dedication and innovative research, the Bioproducts Institute is charting a course toward a greener, more sustainable future.

“Societal priorities have shifted to critical minerals, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. While these are important, we risk overlooking the greatest opportunities: harnessing the power of biology,” says Dr. Rojas. “By creating a bioproducts strategy for Canada, we can regain our leadership in sustainable innovation, just as we once led in the forest products industries.”

“Utilizing bioresources within the principles of preservation and regeneration is the most sustainable path for a circular bioeconomy and a healthy planet.”

Learn more about this research.