/ Magazine / ÈCOSÌ and microplastics challenge: research, innovation, and sustainability in industrial laundry

ÈCOSÌ and microplastics challenge: research, innovation, and sustainability in industrial laundry

edited by
MARZIO NAVA

Every wash cycle releases millions of synthetic microfibers into wastewater. The problem, well known to the scientific community, is now at the forefront of our industry concerns. Recent studies show that that laundry processes - especially on polyester and polyamide fabrics, are a major source of nano- and microplastic pollution, with industrial loads discharging millions of particles at a time. This is not just a theoretical risk, it’s a call for concrete, measurable, and traceable solutions.

FAQ

WHAT ARE THE MICROPLASTICS?

As we already published in the March 2025 issue of Detergo Magazine (https://detergo.eu/en/articoli-blog/
microplastics), microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic material measuring less than 5 mm. The main source is
synthetic fabrics made of microfibers, which release minuscule filaments during manufacturing, use, disposal,
and particularly washing. These microfibers often carry chemical additives such as phthalates and bisphenol
A, but also other substances, such as dyes that can be harmful to human health.

In response to this urgent issue, in 2022, ÈCOSÌ launched a groundbreaking project, the Industrial and Professional Laundry Division, in collaboration with the University of Florence (the Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff,” CSGI, and the Interdepartmental Crystallography Center). Published in Chemosphere on September 3, 2025, the study applied an Automated Static Particle Analysis (ASPA) protocol to laundry effluents for the first time. This automated analysis platform is capable of counting and characterizing microfibers with greater speed and accuracy than manual microscopic counting, reducing operator-dependent variability and moving the sector toward standardized monitoring methods.

“Investing in the environment pays, every euro generates economic returns”

“For us, sustainability is not just a claim, it’s a methodology”, explains Antonio Ciccarella, Division Manager. “We begin with a carefully measured baseline and implement interventions only where necessary. At one of Italy’s leading laundry facilities, we are currently testing in-line capture systems and process optimizations, tracking progress using consistent, rigorous measurement criteria”. What does this mean in practice? A single laundry cycle can release 9 to 12 million microfibers per load into drainage systems. Addressing the problem starts at the source: washing parameters are carefully recalibrated to minimize fabric fragmentation, while industrial facilities manage the microplastics that are released. Modular filtering units capture these tiny particles before they reach wastewater streams, significantly reducing environmental impact. Why so much focus on measurement? Because numbers guide investments. “If you don’t measure, you don’t improve”, emphasizes Daniele Cantagalli, R&D Manager. “With the same approach, we implement metrics that are easy to read and robust enough to guide decisions. By tracking performance, every euro spent on filters, optimized washing settings, and facility upgrades can be shown to deliver tangible environmental and economic returns”.

Tenders face stricter rules: companies must be prepared

The issue of microplastics is set to become increasingly central in both public and private tenders, as environmental criteria evolve to include measurement, reduction, and reporting of microfiber release, alongside standards for energy efficiency and low-impact processes. “Tenders will favour companies that provide comprehensive data dossiers: baseline measurements, reduction targets, verified interventions, and periodic monitoring”, notes Ciccarella. “We assist clients in structuring compliant plans, incorporating ASPA measurements, in-line filters, optimized cycles, and clear reporting”. “Not being caught unprepared allows companies to turn compliance into a competitive advantage”, adds Cantagalli. “Organizations that present tables, charts, and KPIs not only demonstrate value and credibility but also show consistent, measurable results”.

Technical garments and workwear, balancing cleaning performance and fabric longevity

The challenge of microplastics intersects with another key priority: preserving the performance and longevity of technical garments and workwear. ÈCOSÌ has developed highly effective formulations that remove stubborn dirt (oils, grease, and particulates) while protecting functional fabric properties, including membranes, finishes, and mechanical characteristics.
A thoughtfully engineered wash delivers more than cleanliness: it extends garment lifespan, reducing turnover and the environmental footprint linked to production and disposal. For facility managers, this translates into consistent quality, fewer returns, and more predictable handling of “critical” batches.

“A thoughtfully engineered wash doesn’t just clean the garment, it helps extend its lifespan”

On the operational side, ÈCOSÌ’s workwear lines combine targeted cleaning solutions with fibre protection, using cycles calibrated to minimize abrasion and mechanical stress. This often-overlooked approach reduces fiber fragmentation and, consequently, microplastic release. Here, sustainability aligns with preserving the functional value of the fabric.

LOW T°, the 30 °C revolution

The second pillar of innovation focuses on energy consumption. With LOW T°, our low-temperature washing system, we assisted a strategic client in shifting their cycles from 60 °C to 30 °C, achieving the same cleaning performance while ensuring disinfection through specialized, high-performance products. The result is a substantial reduction in thermal energy use, generating measurable savings and a smaller carbon footprint for the facility.
An equally important benefit is the gentler treatment of fabrics: reduced stress, lower microfiber release, and extended garment lifespan. In essence, this approach completes the full circle of sustainability in professional laundry: less energy, consistent quality, and enhanced durability.

The transition to cold washing is not “a chemical trick,” but a process engineering solution. Sustainability thus stops being a series of compromises and becomes a competitive advantage.
For ÈCOSÌ, sustainability is a daily commitment spanning products, processes, and partnerships. From capturing micro- and nanoplastics, to dedicated cycles that extend the lifespan of technical garments, to LOW T° technology that drastically cuts energy consumption - three distinct approaches converge toward the same goal: a more responsible and competitive laundry service.
ÈCOSÌ believes the difference today lies with companies that combine innovation and measurability, turning global challenges into simple, replicable, and verifiable procedures. This is how ÈCOSÌ fulfills its mission: helping industrial laundries operate more efficiently while consuming less, generating environmental, economic, and reputational benefits that last over time.

Scientific reference: S.B. Cabigliera et al., “First application of automated static particle analysis for quantification of textile microplastics/microfibers in washing effluents”, Università di Firenze ed ÈCOSÌ, Chemosphere, 2025.

ÈCOSÌ Srl
Via Giovanni Giorgi, 12
47122 Forlì (FC) Italy
T. +39 335 5474646
laundry@ecosi.it www.ecosi.it

DETERGO MAGAZINE # OCTOBER 2025

Read also

Laundry Laboratories

December 2025

Care and maintenance of technical garments: operating guidelines