Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (smaller than 5 mm) that result from the breakdown of larger plastic materials. In industrial maintenance, they often come from coatings and paints that are blasted or sanded off steel structures.
Where do microplastics occur?
Microplastic emissions from coatings happen during surface preparation and maintenance, especially in:
- Offshore and marine environments – ship hulls, oil rigs, offshore wind substations.
- Onshore facilities – tank farms, refineries, pipelines where blasting debris can pollute soil and water.
- Infrastructure – bridges and large steel structures near rivers or coastlines.
For you as an asset owner, this means that every time you remove old coatings with open blasting, you risk releasing paint microplastics into the environment — unless you use a contained, dust-free system
Extra explanation about microplastics
Industrial paints and coatings are made of polymers – essentially plastics. When blasted in open air:
- They break down into microscopic plastic fragments.
- These fragments can travel through air and water.
- They persist in the environment, harming marine life and ecosystems.
Studies show that up to 58% of all microplastics in the ocean come from coatings and paints on ships and offshore structures. Traditional open blasting directly contributes to this pollution.
Pinovo’s vacuum blasting technology prevents microplastic emissions by:
- Capturing all paint dust at the source.
- Filtering out debris before it can escape into the air or water.
- Recycling abrasive media, ensuring waste is minimized.
This allows you to meet sustainability targets and comply with stricter environmental regulations.
Do you want to eliminate coating microplastics from your maintenance activities?
Request a demo or training and see how Pinovo helps you protect the environment.