PLASTIX Plastics Revolution for European Regions

PLASTIX brings together six European regions to improve policies on plastics recycling, reuse and substitution. FVO and the SAŠA Development Agency represent the Savinja–Šalek region, with FVO contributing its expertise in microplastics in water.

Razvoj prototipa vzorčevalnika µPlastiTrap I, 2023

Project at a glance

Program	Interreg Europe 2021–2027, co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Lead partner	The Baltic Institute of Finland (Finland)
Duration	March 2023 – June 2027
FVO funding	€153,100.00 from the ERDF
FVO project lead	Nataša Uranjek, Senior Lecturer

About the project

Plastics in the circular economy

Europe generates around 26 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, and less than 30% is collected for recycling. PLASTIX helps regions share good practices and improve policies on recycling, new materials, business innovation, circularity indicators and public awareness.

Partners learn from three-day visits to participating regions. Each visit includes a public seminar, visits to companies to see examples of good practice, and workshops to develop policy proposals. FVO and the SAŠA Development Agency hosted the partners in Velenje in March 2024.

FVO’s role

Plastic-free waters in the SAŠA region

FVO focuses on aquatic environments and is developing a method for monitoring plastics and microplastics in the region’s watercourses.

Field monitoring

Seasonal monitoring of microplastics at eight sites on the Paka and Savinja rivers, an effort that became even more important after the 2023 floods.

A sampler developed at FVO

The portable µPlastiTrap I sampler filters thousands of liters of water on site and can be used even in small, shallow watercourses.

Laboratory analysis

FVO identifies microplastic particles using microscopy and an FTIR spectrometer with an extensive polymer reference library.

Student involvement in research

Students help develop the prototype, take field measurements and analyze samples in the laboratory. Erasmus+ exchange students also take part.

Partners and regions

Region	Country	Partners
Tampere	Finland	The Baltic Institute of Finland (lead partner), Council of Tampere Region
Catalonia	Spain	ACCIÓ – Catalan Agency for Business Competitiveness
Fryslân	Netherlands	Province of Fryslân
Värmland	Sweden	Paper Province
Lombardy	Italy	AFIL – Lombardy Intelligent Factory Association
Savinja–Šalek region	Slovenia	SAŠA Development Agency, Faculty of Environmental Protection

The project led to the development of the portable microplastic sampler µPlastiTrap I. In March 2026, the sampler earned FVO a special commendation at Slovenia’s national ED.VITA awards. Learn more at interregeurope.eu/plastix.