Ecopotfilter – Modular Biopolymer Based Water Filtration for Heavy Metal Ion removal

The Ecopotfilter platform represents a modular, intelligent system for sustainable greywater and wastewater purification, reuse using low-cost, biodegradable biopolymers. Developed through three innovation phases, (1) ChiCel, a chitosan–cellulose filter proven to remove heavy metals (Gholami et al., 2020); (2) Ecopots, connectable plant-based modules integrating ChiCel filters and variants for E. coli removal and phytoremediation (data in publication); and (3) ChiCel–Ac, a citric-acid cross-linked filter under current development for selective Li⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ removal. The system combines abiotic and biotic filtration, this recyclable, scalable solution bridges laboratory innovation with real-world application for industrial, municipal, and domestic use, aligning with Germany’s 2023-2050 Water Strategy and SDGs 6, 9, 12, and 13.

The Ecopotfilter is a bio-inspired, modular water purification platform that integrates living and non-living filtration processes into a regenerative, recyclable system. Building on our published environmental research on chitosan–cellulose membranes and wetland-based biofiltration (Gholami et al., 2020; Mahmoudpour & Gholami et al., 2021), the innovation addresses the urgent challenge of toxic heavy metals, bacterial contamination, and nutrient-rich wastewater arising from industrial and agricultural activities in developed and developing regions. The system evolves through three development phases: (1) ChiCel filters, proven to remove over 90 % of heavy metals such as Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺; (2) Ecopot units, modular plant-based filters combining ChiCel and ChiCel–Cu variants for E. coli removal and phytoremediation (Gholami et al., 2025 submitted); and (3) ChiCel–Ac filters, under development for selective adsorption and recovery of Li⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. Unlike conventional Reverse Osmosis (RO) or Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) systems, Ecopotfilter operates with minimal energy, no harsh chemicals, and full biodegradability. The result is a low-cost, scalable, and circular solution for decentralized greywater and industrial wastewater treatment, aligned with Germany’s 2023 National Water Strategy and SDGs 6, 9, 12, and 13.