This research project aims to solve a problem in the microplastics field: how to target, identify and quantify polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfibres and filaments in environmental samples.

The project team aims to understand the problems with current PET materials to inform the development and design of new commercially produced materials for packaging and textiles.
The PETHUNT project is a public-private collaboration between Avantium Chemicals Ltd, the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the University of Amsterdam and the Department of Environment and Health of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The project is funded by an Innovation Fund for Chemistry (LIFT) grant provided Dutch Research Council (NWO). The project runs for 4 years starting in 2018.
Contact at the VU Department of Environment and Health: Dr. Heather Leslie
