How Samsung Developed a Washing Machine That Reduces Microplastics | Feature Story | Focus | Sustainability

How Samsung Developed a
Washing Machine
that Reduces Microplastics

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Microplastics
that flow into the ocean
Plastic waste is piling up
in every corner of the globe.

In particular, microplastics — from car tire
particles, synthetic resins used for chemical
product manufacturing,
cosmetic products or
toothpastes — are too small in size to be
filtered out in wastewater treatment
facilities. Unfiltered microplastics are flowing into the
ocean and ultimately impact the
environment.

The clothes you
are wearing,
what are they made of?

Take a closer look at their tags.
You might see that synthetic fiber, such as
polyester, nylon and acrylic are included.

As synthetic fiber is more affordable and durable,
and are lighter than natural fiber,

60% of the clothes we wear are made of plastic-
based synthetic materials.

Microplastics generated from clothes made of synthetic materials

Sure, synthetic has its many advantages.
But it releases microfiber into the air and water,
when we wear them, and we we wash and dry them.

Microplastics generated from
clothes made of
synthetic materials Sure, synthetic has its many advantages. But it releases microfiber into the air and water, when we wear them, and we we wash and dry them.
Microplastics generated from
clothes made of
synthetic materials These microfibers are too small to be properly filtered byconventional washing machines and the filtering systems at wastewater treatment facilities.
Microplastics generated from
clothes made of
synthetic materials The microfibers generated are one of the kinds of microplastics found in the ocean. Microplastics refer to small plastic particles of 5 mm in diameter or smaller, around the size of a grain of rice. From general plastic waste to coating materials, car tires and cosmetic products, sources of microplastics vary widely.
Microplastics generated from
clothes made of
synthetic materials We need to think and act together, because microplastics can absorb surrounding pollutants and flow into rivers and the ocean and end up inside plankton, fish, seabirds and our bodies.

Reducing microplastics
is saving our future

Because our ecosystems are circular, they are
directly connected with
our daily lives.
Therefore, we need to focus on
more holistically protecting
our environment. Efforts by businesses are needed to reduce
microplastics and
help save our future.
That’s why Samsung Electronics introduced
Less Microfiber Cycle.

Samsung washer with Less Microfiber Cycle unveiled
at IFA 2022 Samsung Electronics developed a new 'Less Microfiber Cycle' for washers in collaboration with global outdoor brand Patagonia and Ocean Wise, a Canadian non-profit marine protection research institution. This new wash cycle was first unveiled at IFA, an international consumer electronics and home appliances trade show held in Berlin, Germany in September 2022.

Using Samsung’s proprietary bubble wash technology, Ecobubble™, this laundry cycle quickly dissolves detergent into the fabrics, which allows for effective removal of dirt and reduction of friction among clothes, the major cause of microplastic shedding. The Less Microfiber cycle adjusts the motor’s revolution speed and washing intensiveness to help prevent synthetic clothes from shedding microfibers. As a result, the Less Microfiber™ Cycle technology for washers has reduced up to 54% of microplastics* released into drain water. Washing machines with the Less Microfiber™ Cycle were first introduced in Europe, followed by South Korea, and have since been released in markets around the world. * Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model WW4000T and the Less Microfiber™ Cycleon WW9400B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested at the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

Less Microfiber Filter first presented at CES 2023 Since then, Samsung Electronics has continued to collaborate with Patagonia. In January 2023, we succeeded in developing a 'Less Microfiber Filter' that can be installed separately outside the washing machine to maximize the reduction of microplastics during the washing process.

Introduced at CES 2023, the world’s largest electronics show, the Less Microfiber™ Filter removes up to 98%* of microplastics from the laundry process, significantly reducing their presence in the ocean. Following its unveiling, the filter was officially launched in South Korea in 2023 with subsequent releases in markets across Europe, the US, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. It is meaningful that Less Microfiber Filter can be applied not only to Samsung washers but also to washing machines from other companies. You may see how sincere Samsung and Patagonia are in reducing microplastics. * Tested at Ocean Wise Plastics Lab using Samsung Electronics’ own filter performance evaluation methodology for common drum washing machines. The company conducted the test on the WW90T734DWH Europe model using the Synthetic Cycle on a 2 kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing the amount of microplastics released with and without the Less Microfiber™ Filter installed. The amount is calculated by filtering drain water through a 50 micrometer (μm) filter.

Samsung washer with Less
Microfiber Cycle Unveiled
at IFA 2022 Samsung Electronics developed a new 'Less Microfiber Cycle' for washers in collaboration with global outdoor brand Patagonia and Ocean Wise, a Canadian non-profit marine protection research institution. This new wash cycle was first unveiled at IFA, an international consumer electronics and home appliances trade show held in Berlin, Germany in September 2022.

Samsung washer with Less
Microfiber Cycle Unveiled
at IFA 2022 Using Samsung’s proprietary bubble wash technology, Ecobubble™, this laundry cycle quickly dissolves detergent into the fabrics, which allows for effective removal of dirt and reduction of friction among clothes, the major cause of
microplastic shedding.

The Less Microfiber cycle adjusts the motor’s revolution speed and washing intensiveness to help prevent synthetic clothes from shedding microfibers. As a result, the Less Microfiber™ Cycle technology for washers has reduced up to 54% of microplastics* released into drain water.
Washing machines with the Less Microfiber™ Cycle were first introduced in Europe, followed by South Korea, and have since been released in markets around the world. * Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model WW4000T and the Less Microfiber™ Cycleon WW9400B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested at the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

Less Microfiber Filter
first presented at CES 2023 Introduced at CES 2023, the world’s largest electronics show, the Less Microfiber™ Filter removes up to 98%* of microplastics from the laundry process, significantly reducing their presence in the ocean. Following its unveiling, the filter was officially launched in South Korea in 2023 with subsequent releases in markets across Europe, the US, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. It is meaningful that Less Microfiber Filter can be applied not only to Samsung washers but also to washing machines from other companies. You may see how sincere Samsung and Patagonia are in reducing microplastics. * Tested at Ocean Wise Plastics Lab using Samsung Electronics’ own filter performance evaluation methodology for common drum washing machines. The company conducted the test on the WW90T734DWH Europe model using the Synthetic Cycle on a 2 kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing the amount of microplastics released with and without the Less Microfiber™ Filter installed. The amount is calculated by filtering drain water through a 50 micrometer (μm) filter.

Samsung
Electronics’
Less Microfiber Cycle
was developed
through cross-
industry
collaboration.

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