Malmo-based Scandinavian Water Technology AB (SWATAB), known for its sustainable cleaning solutions, has integrated Cleanr’s new microplastic filtering technology from Cleveland, Ohio into its patented chemical-free commercial laundry system.

Cleanr’s Vortx filter removes more than 90% of microplastics as small as 50 microns from washing machine wastewater before it reaches the environment, according to the Shaw Institute. The technology works using a new method called “vortical cross-step filtration” to trap microplastic particles.

Instead of pushing the particles against a filter screen, Vortx forms tiny whirlpools in the outgoing laundry water. These whirlpools lift and separate the particles, guiding them into Cleanr pods where they can be collected and safely disposed of. The design takes inspiration from how manta rays and basking sharks use their special gill structures to filter food from water without clogging.

Vortx can separate over 90% of particles from water streams. It lifts and isolates the particles using continuous fluid motion rather than sticking them onto a filter surface. These whirlpool movements also help the filter clean itself, reducing the need for frequent maintenance. This makes the filter last up to three times longer than traditional filters.

The Vortx filter connects directly with SWATAB’s patented Diro system, helping it reduce environmental damage from commercial laundry operations. The Diro system replaces chemical detergents by turning tap water into ultra-pure deionized water, which works as a natural and effective cleaning agent for industrial washing machines.