How BRICS+ Can Turn Ocean Plastic and Global Aging into New Markets and Standards?

The catalyst was a proposal by the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS): to collect ocean plastic using autonomous platforms and construct artificial islands from encapsulated polymer blocks in international waters through BRICS cooperation, as reported by APN. On the social front, there's the accelerated aging of the population and the redistribution of social spending, the scale of which, according to "Kommersant," is evidenced by current UN and ILO assessments.

What Exactly Does RAS Propose and Why is it a BRICS Task?

RAS suggests collecting plastic waste in the ocean using floating, solar-powered platforms and transforming it into "islands" of encapsulated blocks. Implementation is being discussed within the BRICS framework due to the location of garbage patches in international waters. The concept envisions continuous, autonomous platform operation and localized processing: plastic is compressed, hermetically encapsulated, and used as a building block, as described in MoneyTimes.Ru.

According to the developers' estimates, the area of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch reaches 1.5 million sq. km, while the total area of polymer islands from collected waste will not exceed 100 sq. km, as reported by APN.

"One of the conceptual working projects is the construction of islands in the ocean from polymer block containers that will contain compressed and encapsulated waste."

What Systemic Consequences for BRICS Environmental Policy and Industry Could This Project Have?

If the model is scaled, it effectively forms a new industry of marine cleanup and utilization, relying on encapsulation and platform energy autonomy rather than restricting polymer production. This approach is justified by Maxim Shcherbina, a leading research fellow at the Enikolopov Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of RAS, who points out the inexpediency of restraining the polymer industry while simultaneously creating a systemic solution for waste.

The issue of the toxicity of encapsulated blocks is directly addressed: the MoneyTimes article asserts that sealing makes such elements safe and durable, and project funding is expected from the participation of BRICS states and international funds.

How is Global Aging Changing Social Priorities — and Where Does BRICS+ Fit In?

Global aging is accelerating pressure on budgets and necessitates a reevaluation of social infrastructure: the number of people aged 65+ has grown to 830 million in 2024 (from 150 million in 1960), the share of the elderly has risen from 5% to 10% and may reach about 17% by 2050, with pension payments already constituting almost 39% of all social spending globally on average, according to "Kommersant." Moreover, 79.6% of people of retirement age receive payments, but over 165 million remain without pensions; coverage is close to 100% in Europe and North America and only slightly above 30% in Africa, the publication specifies.

For orientation within BRICS+, comparative indicators of pension life quality are also important: Russia ranks 36th in the Global Retirement Index 2025 and is the best among BRICS countries, excluding South Africa, which is not included in the ranking, citing assessments by "Kommersant." This highlights the heterogeneity of initial conditions within the bloc and the importance of standardizing practices.

What Tactical Risks and Opportunities Are Now Opening Up for BRICS+ Business?

The main opportunities lie at the intersection of marine engineering, renewable energy sources, and the "silver economy," while key risks involve technological feasibility, environmental safety, and the funding model.

• Participation in consortia for platform and "island" pilots and financing: the project scheme directly provides for contributions from BRICS states and international funds, as noted by MoneyTimes.Ru.
• Supply and integration of solutions for autonomous cleaning: solar panels, collection and processing equipment, marine platforms — these elements are described in the concept, as reported by APN.
• Reconfiguring product lines for an aging population: the increase in pension spending and active life expectancy creates sustainable demand for healthcare, care services, and financial services, according to "Kommersant."

Risks include the need for evidence regarding the environmental safety of encapsulation and the long-term sustainability of platforms. Developer materials claim safety; however, regulatory tests and international standards are a mandatory part of the next stage of work.