Samsung partners with Patagonia to minimize microplastics

South Korean tech giant, Samsung Electronics, has teamed up with sustainable outerwear brand Patagonia, to develop a washing technology that reduces microplastics, one of the natural ecosystem’s biggest polluters.

The partnership was announced on the first day of this year’s CES technology trade show at Las Vegas when Samsung detailed company-wide sustainability goals. The partnership specifically focuses on microplastics that are emitted when synthetic textiles are washed especially from Patagonia’s popular fleece jackets.

Samsung’s engineers, according to Vincent Stanley, head of Patagonia philosophy, “took this issue to heart.” He stated that this is a fantastic illustration of the partnership we all need to help stop the tide of climate change and restore nature’s health.

While add-on filters for washing machines and protective laundry bags are a start, Samsung believes that more comprehensive solutions are needed to reduce the amount of microplastics emitted during a product’s lifecycle.

The firms claimed they are working on a cooperative approach to address microplastics in textiles and laundry that are realistic, effective, and extensible.

Samsung is developing a new washing machine that will allow users to securely wash their favorite clothes while reducing microplastics’ effect. According to Samsung, the eco-friendly method will maintain the high-performance cleaning and care that the company’s washers are recognized for.

Samsung claims that its washers already use Ecobubble, a technology that allows customers to clean their clothing more efficiently, even at low temperatures, by generating more bubbles. According to Samsung, this allows the detergent to quickly penetrate materials and eliminate filth while conserving energy and protecting the color and texture of the apparel.

Furthermore, the brand’s AI Wash function uses sensors to determine the weight of the load and the level of soiling to ensure that the appropriate quantity of water, detergent, and energy is utilized to clean that specific load, reducing water waste and energy consumption.