Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath (*1965) began his career at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) in the Institute for Microstructure Technology, where he focused on the development, process management, and process control of alloy electroplating for micro-galvanic forming. He then spent many years as a chief chemist in the industry, responsible for the development of new products, processes, and surfaces. In 2011, he received the Fraunhofer UMSICHT Science Award for an electrochemical process for the degradation of PFTs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Since 2011, he has been a professor of physical chemistry at Furtwangen University. As part of the "Rheines Wasser" project, the "swimming professor" swam and analyzed the Rhine, drawing media attention to water protection.

• 1 Introduction: Microplastics – a Growing Threat to Humans and the Environment.- 2 Microplastics.-3 Microplastics as an Opportunity.- 4 Closing Remarks.- 5 Appendix.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath (*1965) began his career at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) in the Institute for Microstructure Technology, where he focused on the development, process management, and process control of alloy electroplating for micro-galvanic forming. He then spent many years as a chief chemist in the industry, responsible for the development of new products, processes, and surfaces. In 2011, he received the Fraunhofer UMSICHT Science Award for an electrochemical process for the degradation of PFTs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Since 2011, he has been a professor of physical chemistry at Furtwangen University. As part of the "Rheines Wasser" project, the "swimming professor" swam and analyzed the Rhine, drawing media attention to water protection.

• 1 Introduction: Microplastics – a Growing Threat to Humans and the Environment.- 2 Microplastics.-3 Microplastics as an Opportunity.- 4 Closing Remarks.- 5 Appendix.