New research from SINTEF has revealed a significant disparity in the environmental footprint of different aquaculture netting materials. According to the report, nylon nets release five times more microplastics than alternatives like Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
The study, part of the SMARTER project, suggests that while nylon is often preferred for its operational convenience, its multifilament structure is more susceptible to abrasion. Key findings include:
- Cleaning Methods Matter: High-pressure water jets – the industry standard for cleaning – accelerate plastic shedding. Emerging methods like cavitation (air bubbles) or robotic brushing are significantly more gentle.
- Coatings & Adhesion: Nylon nets with “premium” coatings actually showed the highest release levels, likely due to poor adhesion between the coating and the nylon polymer.
- A Shift in Sourcing: Researchers suggest that moving toward HDPE or UHMWPE, combined with less abrasive cleaning technologies, could drastically reduce the industry’s direct contribution to marine microplastics.
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