BASF and Zara curtail microfiber water pollution with laundry detergent launch

01 Dec 2022 --- In partnership with BASF, Inditex’s Zara Home brand is introducing The Laundry, touted as the first detergent designed to lessen microfiber discharge while washing in cold temperatures. The launch aims to lower carbon emissions and extend the lifespan of garments in an era of fast fashion and rising sea levels. 

Inditex, BASF Home Care and I&I Solutions Europe, in Spain and Germany, collaboratively created the detergent that may reduce microfiber release by up to 80% – depending on the fabric material and washing circumstances.

BASF claims several textile types, washing- temperatures and methods were used to evaluate the detergent mixture during R&D.

The findings demonstrate that the detergent is particularly well suited for washing at low temperatures, which has additional benefits. For instance, end users can minimize their energy use by switching from 40°C water to 20°C, lowering their carbon footprint. 

Additionally, colder wash cycles can retain fabric colors and increase the longevity of materials.

Zara Home’s detergent will be available in the brand’s brick-and-mortar stores and online.

Microfibers in the wild
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that polyester, rayon, nylon and acrylic are just a few examples of plastic-based materials used to make the majority of clothing on the planet.

The EPA claims microfibers pose several threats to marine life.Microfibers are small plastic shards (less than 5 mm in diameter) that come off of these synthetic garments while washing and, once in the environment, are extremely difficult to clean up.

The EPA claims they pose several threats to marine life and, traveling up the food chain, could have negative effects on human health as well, although the EPA admitted more research is required.

The launch comes as the European Commission recently proposed stricter rules on ambient air, surface and groundwater pollutants and urban wastewater treatment to protect human health and ecosystems. These rules would require cosmetic companies to pay to remove “micro-pollutants” from EU wastewater.

Dulling down degrees
Washing certain kinds of fabric at different temperatures, with and without detergent, leads to fluctuating amounts of microfiber release.

This is according to a study, Microfiber release from different fabrics during washing, by researchers at the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, The University of Chemical Technology and Northeast Agricultural University, China.

“Compared with washing using water only, more microfibers were shed from the synthetic fabrics when washed with detergent, especially polyester fabric,” says the report.Washing certain kinds of fabric at different temperatures, with and without detergent, leads to fluctuating amounts of microfiber release.

Data from the study suggested that one possible explanation for why detergent use encouraged the release of microfibers from synthetic fabrics during washing is that some detergent ingredients, like surfactants, are deposited on the surface of the fibers. This reduces frictional forces, damaging the fabric, which ultimately generates a release of microfibers.

Regardless of this observation, the researchers noted that “microfiber release depends on washing temperature mainly, as relatively hydrophobic synthetic fibers are not noticeably affected by alkaline detergent solutions if washed at or below the recommended temperatures.”

The researchers summarize that both increased washing temperature and detergent use promoted the release of microfibers from all tested synthetic fabrics.

The massive annual production and broad usage of synthetic fabrics globally must be kept under close observation, the authors note, adding that lint filter bags are only effective in capturing longer microfibers and not shorter ones.

The researchers conclude by shifting their gaze upon the future, stating that additional research should evaluate a wide range of washing machines and washing conditions to decrease or eradicate microfibers from the effluent before they enter the aquatic environment.

By Mieke Meintjes