SOPLAS is a multi-disciplinary and intersectoral innovative training network of the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions). The  network is established by promoting scientific exchange between ten European research institutions and a research-oriented industry partner, with the network devoted to investigating soil pollution in an ecologically relevant manner with complementary research foci and methods. The network builds on and extends already established and fruitful cooperations between academia and industry, initiate new cooperations, and promotes cooperation among industry partners.
Overall, the SOPLAS ETN contributes to the education of a new generation of environmental scientists with profound knowledge across the analysis, origin, fate and effects of plastics in soil as well as its socio-economic implications. SOPLAS brings together a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of senior and early stage researchers (ESRs) and connect as well as train the next generation of highly-skilled environmental professionals.