# First Appraisal of Effective Microplastics Removal from the Textile Manufacturing Processes
## 1 Introduction  
Awareness is increasing about the presence of plastics and microplastics (MPs) in the environment, especially in aquatic environments (rivers, lagoons and oceans) and their impact on health is being more and more frequently studied [1, 2, 3]. The presence of MPs results from the degradation of larger pieces of plastic, or from being released directly into the environment. In the case of the fashion industry, MPs are provided by both sources: the manufacturing process, and the wearing and washing of textiles made from synthetic (plastic) fiber fragments. Around 66% of the textile fiber market is produced from synthetic fibers (mainly nylon and polyester), followed by cotton, cellulosic materials and wool [4]. The production processes of synthetic fibers (Sf), yarns, fabrics and products may be responsible for the increased release of microfibers [5]. In particular, the application of abrasive friction during production is an important factor in MP formation [6]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [5] estimated that of global fiber production will reach 145 million metric tons in 2030, due to garments made from synthetic fibers (34.8%). Previous studies [7,8] have determined an annual estimation of MPs release into the ocean of between 0.2 and 0.5 million from synthetic textiles. MPs from aquatic environments can enter organisms through various pathways, commonly ingestion (bioaccumulation), but they are also biologically transported through the food chain [9,10] and enriched at higher trophic levels (biomagnification), ultimately affecting human health [11]. The release of MPs into the water environment is being regulated in Europe through the Council decision 2021/764 (May 2021) [12], which requires water pollution control (including MPs) to ensure that water bodies achieve a good ecological status. Therefore, controlling the potential plastic emission sources, such as the textile industry, would allow the aquatic ecosystem quality to improve. In terms of the water from textile manufacturing processes (wet processing: dyeing, pre-treatment, finishing), it is supposed that around 86% of consumed water [13] is usually dumped after water waste treatment in Europe. However, it is crucial to monitor process parameters to reduce waste, costs and environmental impacts [14]. MPs (and nanoplastics) removal during water treatment includes chemical removal (fourth flotation, agglomeration, coagulation), chemical degradation (hydrolysis, cavitation, advanced oxidation, photocatalysis) [15] and physical removal (such as micro-/nano-/ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis or dynamic membrane). Biological removal employs aerobic and anaerobic digestion, lagoons and septic tanks, but these are inefficient and might cause secondary contamination [16]. A recent study focused on the thermal pyrolysis process into fuel oil [17]. Ozonation can dissolve 90% of MPs into functional groups with O\({}_{2}\), but harmful intermediate chemicals might be generated [18]. UV oxidation makes MPs into smaller sizes or nanoplastics [18]. Therefore, most of these techniques are not completely efficient, and are extremely costly, with a high consumption of energy or other consumables (membranes, reagents) or are not scalable, among others. The search for a cost-effective technology with a high level of effectiveness for MPs removal to treat significant volumes of wastewater is still a challenge. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies might represent a transformative solution because despite their high implementation costs, due to the use of renewable resources as energy supply, and their 100% efficiency in water recovery, they could be a cost-effective choice to significantly remove MPs from wastewater [19] and other environmental challenges. These ZLD technologies are reshaping wastewater management practices in the textile sector [20]. The utilization of water in the textile industry, the avoidance of chemicals and reduced waste disposal are some of their main advantages.