Fife inventor reveals ‘gamechanging’ dissolving wet wipe

INNOVATION: Strong interest from several sectors

A Fife-based inventor has created an environmentally-friendly wet wipe that dissolves in water within seconds.

Brian Mccormack, who owns Mccormack Innovation, said his product was a potential game-changer for the global disposable wipes market.

Wet wipes are the principal cause of the majority of blockages in UK sewers, which cost millions to resolve each year.

Currently most wet wipes contain synthetic and plastic fibres, which means they are slow to degrade.

Mr Mccormack’s product has been awarded the “fine to flush” status by Water UK which means they can be flushed down toilets safely.

He said: “Citizens and industry alike are no longer willing to accept the catastrophic impact that conventional wet wipes are doing to the environment.

“Not only are they a marine pollutant and harmful to marine wildlife they are the principal cause of between 50% and 70% of sewer blockages and between 80% and 90% of all sewage pumping station failures.

“I am delighted to announce that our wipes have been awarded this vital accreditation.

“While fine to flush is a UK standard, it is highly regarded throughout the world and is seen as a standard by which other countries can follow suit in raising the bar in the disposal of wet wipes in the water sewerage system.”

Mr Mccormack, from Kirkcaldy, said that commercial interest in the product had been “astounding” across several sectors.

A leading international healthcare company has biomedically tested the product and are going ahead with patient trials.

The business has been supported by Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International and Zero Waste Scotland.

The wipes will be manufactured by strategic partner Guardpack, the UK’S most established contract manufacturer of individual wet wipe sachets.

Mr Mccormack’s other inventions include a stool collector and soluble bandages.

Fife inventor Brian Mccormack.