Will cellulose help combat hazardous substances in Europe’s waters?

We live in a time when, on the one hand, water is becoming scarce, and on the other, its quality is unsatisfactory. Monitoring results indicate that there are increasing levels of persistent pollutants in the waters of the European Union, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nanoplastics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. How can we address these issues?

The Search for New Methods of Water Treatment

It is estimated that the cost of health impacts resulting from water pollution ranges from 52 to 84 billion euros annually. Therefore, the search for effective methods of water treatment continues. The results of recent scientific studies indicate that modifying bacterial cellulose and combining it with other chemicals can increase its effectiveness, for example, in the context of combating water pollution.

The Water Management Resilience Strategy recognizes water as a basic need and a critical resource. In light of monitoring results, it aims to restore and protect the water cycle, build an economy based on smart water management, and ensure access to clean and affordable water for all residents of the European Union.

Given the expansion of the parameters being tested in water samples and the results of these measurements, there is a noticeable increase in pollution, including PFAS. In an article published in June of this year, the European Commission reported that bacterial cellulose—a biodegradable material produced by bacteria—may have transformative potential in the remediation of water contaminated with hazardous substances.

What is cellulose?

Cellulose is a widely available, inexpensive, and environmentally and user-friendly material. Its main producers are vascular plants (such as clubmosses, horsetails, and ferns)—biosynthesis takes place in their cell membranes. Cellulose is also produced by most algae, various bacteria, and even some animals.

A unique form of cellulose derived from plant-based raw materials is what are known as nanocrystals, which, thanks to their physicochemical properties, serve as the basis for creating gel structures. These, in turn, are capable of effectively binding and removing metal cations that contaminate water.

Bacterial cellulose may help combat hazardous substances in Europe’s waters

Bacterial cellulose is a nanofibrous biopolymer with high chemical purity and unique mechanical properties, produced by bacteria. It is used, for example, in medicine, the food industry, and the basic materials sector.

Research on bacterial cellulose has shown that modifying it and combining it with other chemicals can increase its efficiency. For example, carboxymethylcellulose effectively binds and adsorbs PFAS after modification. Hybrid systems—such as those using bacterial cellulose in nanofiltration and electrooxidation processes—can increase the efficiency of contaminant removal from water by up to 95 percent. It also exhibits water-binding properties and is a key component of eco-friendly purification technologies. It acts as a highly effective, biodegradable biosorbent and a natural filter.

Bacterial Cellulose—A Promising Step in Combating Water Pollution

Bacterial cellulose represents a promising step toward sustainable waste management, particularly in the removal of new water pollutants such as PFAS, nanoplastics, and endocrine disruptors.

Its renewability and functional adaptability make bacterial cellulose an alternative to conventional adsorbents—substances with a highly developed surface area capable of binding molecules of other substances (gases or liquids). Adsorbents are widely used in environmental protection, medicine, and industry.

Bacterial cellulose affects water quality by:

• bioflocculant: bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels serve as natural coagulants, enabling the capture and removal of over 90 percent of suspended solids and microfibers;
• separation of oils and fats: thanks to their three-dimensional fiber structure, filters made of pure bacterial cellulose are highly effective at separating oil-in-water emulsions under harsh environmental conditions;
• microplastic removal: hydrated bacterial cellulose membranes can filter out up to 99 percent of microplastic particles from contaminated water;
• Heavy metal and dye removal: Modified bacterial cellulose can adsorb toxic heavy metal ions and organic pollutants almost entirely.

The use of bacterial cellulose in water treatment can be consistent with the principles of a circular economy, as it can be produced, for example, from agricultural byproducts. Using products such as molasses, corn stover, or fruit peels would significantly reduce the production costs of bacterial cellulose and would be a way to reduce dependence on conventional, high-emission raw materials, such as glucose.

Conclusions from the research conducted

According to the latest research:

• Bacterial cellulose removes more than 90 percent of PFAS and nanoplastics from water;
• Modern modifications of bacterial cellulose increase selectivity in complex wastewater matrices;
• Raw materials derived from agricultural waste reduce the production costs of bacterial cellulose by 30 to 50 percent;
• Hybrid bacterial cellulose systems increase pollutant removal efficiency to 95 percent.

Nevertheless, further work and research are needed to use bacterial cellulose for water treatment.

---

In writing this article, I drew on:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180976

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/lab-marvel-global-guardian-bacterial-cellulose-could-help-tackle-hazardous-substances-europes-waters-2026-06-08_en

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/environment/water-resilience-strategy_pl

Shija, G.E., 2025. Bacterial cellulose for new contaminants: a review of applications for PFAS, nanoplastics, and endocrine disruptors in water treatment. Total Environment Science, 1008, p. 180976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180976