Microplastics, defined as polymer particles smaller than five millimeters, have become a defining environmental issue of our time. While their presence in the environment was first documented several decades ago, recent advances in detection methods and analytical chemistry have revealed the vast scale of microplastic dispersion across terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These particles are now found in rivers, oceans, soil, air, and even human tissue, raising both ecological and health-related concerns. For companies engaged in polymer solutions, such as Plastrans Technologies, understanding the mechanisms of microplastic formation, transport, and impact is essential for aligning industrial innovation with environmental responsibility.
Microplastics are generated through two primary pathways: as primary microplastics—particles intentionally manufactured to be microscopic for use in abrasives, cosmetics, or industrial processes—and as secondary microplastics, formed from the fragmentation of larger plastic items due to mechanical stress, UV radiation, and chemical degradation. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 2025), industrial production, packaging, and transport are significant contributors to unintentional microplastic release, particularly through pellet loss (so-called “nurdle spills”) during manufacturing or logistics. Once released, these particles can be transported by wind or water, entering ecosystems far from their origin, including remote oceanic and alpine regions.
The durability that makes plastics indispensable for modern applications also explains their persistence in the environment. Research from Frontiers in Environmental Science (Lamichhane, 2022) indicates that microplastics can persist for decades, interacting with organic matter and pollutants such as heavy metals and persistent organic compounds. These interactions can alter their density, bioavailability, and toxicity, complicating both detection and remediation efforts.
The environmental impact of microplastics extends far beyond their physical presence. In marine systems, microplastics are ingested by zooplankton, fish, and larger marine animals, leading to blockages, reduced feeding efficiency, and exposure to absorbed contaminants. The ingestion of microplastics has also been linked to oxidative stress and inflammation in marine organisms (Science of The Total Environment, Sharma, 2023). These particles act as carriers of hydrophobic pollutants and microbial communities, often described as the “plastisphere,” which can introduce pathogens or alter microbial balances in aquatic ecosystems.
Lifecycle Considerations and Carbon Footprint
A comprehensive understanding of the environmental footprint of microplastics requires a lifecycle perspective. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) offers a framework to quantify emissions, energy use, and environmental burdens across a product’s life—from resin production to end-of-life disposal. When microplastic formation and dispersion are integrated into LCA, the overall environmental cost of polymer use becomes more transparent. For example, Sustainability (Gabisa, 2023) demonstrated that incorporating microplastic emissions into LCA models significantly alters the carbon balance of packaging materials, revealing previously overlooked sources of CO₂ emissions and ecological risk.
Reducing microplastic formation is thus inseparable from decarbonization strategies. Energy-efficient polymerization processes, improved pellet containment, and closed-loop recycling systems not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also prevent microplastic leakage. The combination of mechanical and chemical recycling—each with its specific efficiency and environmental trade-offs—is emerging as a critical tool in minimizing both waste and emissions.
Addressing the microplastic challenge requires collaboration across the value chain—from raw material suppliers and compounders to converters and end users. The European Union’s restriction under REACH (2023) on intentionally added microplastics represents a major regulatory milestone, targeting products such as cosmetics, detergents, and fertilizers. However, unintentional emissions remain a larger issue, prompting initiatives such as Operation Clean Sweep®, a global program encouraging manufacturers to prevent pellet loss during handling and transport.
For companies like Plastrans Technologies, active participation in these initiatives aligns both with compliance expectations and corporate responsibility. Implementing strict material handling protocols, monitoring potential emission points, and supporting clients in adopting sustainable polymer solutions are tangible steps that directly contribute to reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, integrating biodegradable or bio-based polymers—such as Bio-PE or Bio-PP—can lower the carbon footprint while maintaining recyclability within existing waste streams, ensuring that environmental progress does not come at the expense of circularity.
Microplastics illustrate the broader paradox of polymer science: the same stability and versatility that make plastics indispensable also make them environmentally persistent. The path forward lies in responsible design, process optimization, and material innovation. By combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to sustainability, the plastics industry can transition toward solutions that balance performance with environmental integrity.
At Plastrans Technologies, sustainability is approached through data-driven innovation and collaboration across the European value chain. By focusing on lifecycle optimization, polymer traceability, and the use of renewable raw materials, the company contributes to reducing emissions and preventing microplastic leakage—aligning industrial excellence with environmental protection.
Sources:
EPA (2025). Impacts of Plastic Pollution. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution
Lamichhane, G. (2022). Microplastics in the Environment: Global Concern, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Frontiers in Environmental Science. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9135010/
Sharma, S. (2023). Contribution of Plastic and Microplastic to Global Climate Change. Science of The Total Environment. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969723012433
Gabisa, E. W. (2023). Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emissions, Microplastic Emissions, and Resource Depletion. Sustainability (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11529
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (2023). Restriction on Intentionally Added Microplastics under REACH. https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/microplastics
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (2022). Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Plastics: A Review. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/gcr/2022/NIST.GCR.22-032.pdf
Operation Clean Sweep® (2025). Preventing Pellet Loss at Source. https://www.opcleansweep.org/
Jambeck, J. R. (2023). The Impacts of Plastics’ Life Cycle. One Earth (Cell Press). https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(23)00249-X
