Together, they will introduce a sustainable microfibre filter across Europe, designed to capture up to 97% of microfibres from wastewater during washing cycles, addressing the global microplastic pollution crisis.

The Bosch filter utilises Matter’s patented self-cleaning technology, Regen.TM, and is the first product to hit the market from the Bristol-based company after five years of development and five patents. This follows a successful $10 million Series A funding round last year, backed by S2G Ventures, SOUNDwaves, and Leonardo DiCaprio-supported Consumer ClimateTech fund, Regeneration.VC.

Matter previously gained attention in 2022 when its Kickstarter campaign, landing in the top 4% of projects, raised over $150,000 from more than 1,000 backers. Now, the company is seeking additional partners to expand its microplastic capture technology globally.

Adam Root, Founder and CEO of Matter, said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with BSH to launch this product and take our first step towards enabling people to tackle the global issue of microplastic pollution in their own homes. Our core technology is founded on the conviction that filtration is the most viable, near-term solution to stop microplastic pollution from further impacting our oceans, people and planet. Partnerships such as this are vital in helping us scale up and achieve this goal faster.”

The Regen.TM technology inside BSH’s filter captures microplastic particles from a wash cycle and offers the most flexible installation options on the market, with no drilling required.  The filter can simply be connected to the washing machine’s wastewater hose and placed on or next to the appliance, it can even be easily retrofitted to an existing washing machine regardless of the manufacturer or age of the machine. Thanks to a self-cleaning system, which can go up to 6 weeks (20 wash cycles) without needing to be emptied1, no replacement filters are needed, so the product will last the life of the washing machine.

Konrad Koloska, Product Manager at BSH said: “We are proud to introduce our revolutionary microplastic filter, designed to tackle the major issue of microplastic pollution. By offering an external solution that can be easily equipped to any washing machine, we empower consumers to actively contribute to reducing microplastic waste without compromising on convenience. This collaboration with Matter exemplifies our commitment to proactive and effective measures in creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

The launch of Matter’s product coincides with growing global concern over the impact of microplastic pollution on human and environmental health. Recent research has revealed the presence of microplastics in human heart tissue, brain cells, and placentas, underscoring the urgency for action. In response, several legislative efforts are in motion worldwide. In the US, the Fighting Fibres Act of 2024 is set to be introduced in Congress, while in the EU, forthcoming regulations are in development. Matter is contributing to the creation of new standards with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to help curb micropollutant emissions into the environment.

Matter’s filtration technology has applications across home, professional, and industrial laundry settings. The company is now focusing on scaling its solutions to significantly reduce micropollutant emissions globally. This includes forming partnerships within the textile and apparel supply chains to retrofit facilities with its industrial Regen.TM technology, effectively addressing microplastic pollution at the source. Matter is also preparing to introduce its first professional laundry product, designed for use in commercial settings such as hotels and laundrettes.