tireX - Reduction of tyre abrasion emissions

At around 13,600 tonnes per year, tyre abrasion is by far the largest source of microplastics in Switzerland. Tyre abrasion, like other microplastics, can accumulate in the food chain. It has been proven that microplastics adsorb pollutants on the surface due to their large specific surface area and can release them again after absorption by organisms. Our approach is to remove tyre abrasion from road runoff using magnets. We have discovered that tyre abrasion can be separated magnetically. This is due to the fact that magnetic road dust is rolled into the tyre abrasion particles (brake abrasion, rust...).