Press release
Paris, January 6, 2026
CleanWash: IFPEN innovates to capture plastic microfibers from professional textile washing
Each wash of synthetic textiles can release up to several million plastic microfibers, a largely invisible but major pollution. To remedy this, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) has developed CleanWash, a technology which directly captures and recovers these microfibers at the outlet of professional textile washing installations.
Successfully tested in a 5àsec group dry cleaner in Vénissieux (69), with the support of CTTN-IREN*, this solution has proven its effectiveness by eliminating more than 80% of plastic microfibers. A concrete step forward, while these microparticles still largely escape treatment plants and contribute to water and soil pollution.
In a context where 60% of textile fibers in the world are plastic materials, the capture at source of these microfibers released during washing represents an essential issue to avoid their release into the aquatic environment and their migration into the sludge of treatment plants used in agricultural spreading.
The fruit of 4 years of research and development
Suitable for dry cleaners and industrial laundries, CleanWash technology uses a process directly inspired by IFPEN’s work on oil/water separation in industry.
Developed thanks to the combined skills of the IFPEN teams, CleanWash is based on an advanced flotation system using air bubbles of controlled size, capable of capturing suspended microfibers and concentrating them on the surface before recovering them in a dedicated compartment.
The innovative design of the equipment optimizes the collision between microfibers and bubbles, thus improving separation efficiency while remaining compact enough to meet the constraints of the sector.
During the 4 weeks of testing, the technology showed:
- Very good operability and low rejection volume
- 80% retention of microfibers ≥ 50 micrometers in length.
- The possibility of increasing this performance to levels above 95% by adding bioclarifiers.
“This technology is one of the first concrete solutions for the professional washing market. It offers performance in line with regulatory projects, consumes very little electricity and allows robust operation without the clogging problems generally encountered with filtration type solutions.indicates Matthieu DREILLARD, project manager and research engineer at IFPEN.
Industrialization dependent on future regulations
The successful demonstration of the CleanWash system is a key step towards its industrialization. However, the lack of regulation currently limits the deployment of such solutions. The CleanWash project had anticipated the requirements of the AGEC law, which aimed to impose by decree the equipment of professional washing machines with devices for capturing plastic microfibers from the start of 2025. While waiting for these regulatory details, the technology developed by IFPEN will allow players in the sector to get a head start and actively contribute to preserving the environment.
* CTTN-IREN: Research Institute on Maintenance and Cleaning
About IFPEN: IFPEN is the National Institute for Research and Training in Energy, Mobility and Environment. Its teams innovate for a carbon-free and sustainable world, from scientific concepts to technological solutions. Technologies, software, equipment or services: its low-carbon innovations lay the foundations for the transition and facilitate the emergence of industrial sectors of the future. IFPEN boldly imagines and rigorously designs solutions for the society of tomorrow.
Contact presse : presse@ifpen.fr