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?, Ca??, and Mg?? 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 Pb??, Cu??, Ni??, and Cr??; (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?, Ca??, and Mg??. 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.