Progress report for
XFiltra (formerly Project Sea Change) - a washing machine filtration system to remove microparticles, including microplastics, from laundry effluent
Achievement at a glance
Xeros has completed the design, production and testing of a highly efficient microplastic filtration system for household washing machines, honouring the commitment made in 2017 to do so. In-house testing of XFiltra shows the product is able to capture up to 99 per cent of the synthetic fibres released during laundry cycles, depending on the size of filter mesh used. Researchers at the University of Plymouth's International Marine Litter Research Unit have completed independent testing of the effectiveness of XFiltra, benchmarked against different filtration devices. The results are due to be published in the first half of 2020.Our patent application for microfibre filters suitable for domestic washing machines has also been published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation. We have held positive, open discussions about the benefits of in-machine microplastic filtration with manufacturers of household and commercial washing machines, politicians and NGOs with a view to making our technology available to all who wish to use it. In March 2020 we signed a first agreement with a major commercial washing machine manufacturer to develop and install XFiltra in their commercial machine products.
Challenges faced in implementation
The issue of plastic polluting our oceans has become a big issue as consumer awareness has grown. However, understanding and acceptance of the specific issue of microplastic pollution from laundry has been slower to gain traction with many industry and political stakeholders. As a result, progress towards adopting microplastic filtration as a standard technology in washing machines has been slow. Consumer awareness of the issue, however, has been strong and led to the development of various after-market devices including external filtration products and other devices marketed at concerned consumers. Whilst these products serve a purpose industry must not rely on consumers to take a lead tackling this issue. More recently, positive changes are being adopted, including legislation mandating microplastic filtration technology in new household washing machines, which will speed up adoption of the technology across industry.Beneficiaries
We all benefit from a world in which our oceans are better protected and not subject to vast quantities of plastic waste. Microplastic filtration for laundry has many direct and indirect beneficiaries that collectively benefit from improving sustainability across the full lifecycle of garments and textiles. These include, but are not limited to: consumers, washing machine manufacturers, legislators, apparel manufacturers, fashion brands, retailers, water and wastewater companies.