CycloPure’s new polymer found to remove micropollutants better than activated carbon

Water treatment technology provider CycloPure has revealed that its micropollutant polymer, CD-MP, showed better results than activated carbon in the removal of micropollutants from water, in a study.

The CD-MP polymer is the first of the company's enhanced adsorption materials designed using its cyclodextrin technology.

As per the findings of the study, the polymer outperformed several conventional adsorbents in the removal of eight micropollutants, including bisphenol A (BPA), the pesticide metolachlor, and the estrogen steroid ethinyl estradiol.

The test included the comparative analysis between the performance of the CD-MP polymer and coconut shell activated carbon (CCAC) in the removal of 83 pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals from water.

The company noted that with regard to contaminant concentrations of one microgram per liter (1 ppb), the CD-MP polymer outmatched activated carbon in each metric in both batch and flow-through tests.

CycloPure co-founder Dr Will Dichtel said: "As with the Nature study, we again saw rapid adsorption of contaminants in a near instantaneous manner.

"These results are an important step in the commercialisation of this vital material.

“We have now shown removal effectiveness against a diverse group of micropollutants, comprised of industrial chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds.”

The company observed that the test results have great implications for water treatment.

It further added that the polymer was effective in removal of known and putative endocrine disruptors.

Besides, CD-MP has proved to be effective in the removal of toxic pesticides – Atrazine and Chlorpyrifos.

CycloPure CEO Frank Cassou said: "Uniquely effective, sustainably made, and renewable, it is now time to get this product to market.

“We are full speed ahead to scale-up reaction procedures to handle commercial volumes and requirements.”