Inter IKEA Group has invested in British sustainable tech company Matter, which produces Regen filtration technology that captures and removes microplastics from wastewater and cuts carbon emissions. The company will use the investment to scale its industrial filtration technology.
Matter’s technology captures microplastics before they enter the wastewater disposal stream. The company has solutions for homeowners as well as laundry facilities and manufacturers. According to the European Environment Agency, About 8% of European microplastics released to oceans are from synthetic textiles — globally, this figure is estimated at 16-35%. Microplastics can be released every time a garment with plastic fibers is washed.
A Certified B-Corp, Matter plans to deliver four full-scale Regen treatment systems to the textile industry 2026. Following this, the goal is to install systems at over 400 factories by 2030.
Washing synthetic fabrics leads to the accumulation of more than half a million tons of microplastics on the bottom of the oceans every year, the EU reports. In addition to this global problem, the water pollution generated by garment production has a devastating impact on the health of local people, animals and ecosystems where the factories are located.
Matter is on a mission to prevent 15,000 tons of microfiber pollution from entering the ocean by 2030. Inter IKEA hopes to use its investment to explore how the pioneering Regen filtration technology can transform textile production globally.
“IKEA is committed to use water sustainably by reducing water usage across our value chain and by protecting nature and supporting communities affected by water pollution,” said Linn Clabburn, Innovation Ventures Leader at Inter IKEA Group. “The topic of microplastics is an important industry question and through our investment in Matter, we are looking forward to taking an active role in tackling the issue and to inspire widespread water action in society.
