Fionn Ferreira’s commitment to science and sustainability earned him international recognition as the Grand Prize winner of the Google Science Fair. He completed his Chemistry degree at the University of Groningen and is now pursuing a Master’s. He continues developing innovative solutions to environmental issues, driven by his early experiences with plastic waste on Ireland’s coast.
That was the spark that really got him going. As he learnt more about the microplastics in our environment, including emerging research suggesting we may be consuming the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic every week through contaminated food and water—that’s when he realised just how serious this problem was. There were links to health issues like Alzheimer’s and cancer. At 16, he started tinkering with LEGO parts, bits of wood and microcontrollers. He began to wonder: what if he could find a way to remove those microplastics?
That was the start of his journey as an environmental activist and anti-plastic pollution innovator—a field that was still emerging in terms of public awareness and innovation. His mission quickly evolved into one of environmental stewardship and a sustainability advocate, driven by Fionn’s insatiable curiosity and a deep commitment to a sustainable future. With every breakthrough, he contributed to the growing body of sustainability Fionn discusses, and he was just getting started.
Innovation often springs from necessity—and that was certainly true for Fionn Ferreira. When he realised just how little we have in the way of efficient removal methods for microplastics, he decided to take matters into his own hands. That’s when Fionn built his first prototype after many failed attempts. His invention—a magnetic liquid–based system—really delivered on its promise to remove microplastics from water. Not only was it effective, but it was also environmentally safe and cost-effective, offering a potential breakthrough in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.
That caught the world’s attention. Winning the Global Grand Prize at the Google Science Fair in 2019—after participating in several science fairs—was just the first of many recognitions Fionn’s invention received from the scientific and industry communities. In 2020, he founded Fionn & Co.…
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