Samsung Electronics’ booth was no exception to this. One of the newest innovations at Samsung’s booth was the company’s new microplastic reduction washing machine. The washing machine was developed in collaboration with Patagonia and the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab, in order to address microplastic shedding, one of the main causes of marine pollution.

To learn more about the development process, Samsung Newsroom sat down with the four experts who worked together to create the washing machine: Woong Choi, who worked on product planning, Josephine Park, who worked on marketing, Chiwoong Yoon, who worked on ESG strategy, and Wanhee Lee, who worked on the washing machine’s development and performance.

▲ (From the left) The experts who participated in the project to develop the microplastic reduction washing machine: Chiwoong Yoon, who worked on ESG Strategy, Josephine Park, who worked on marketing, Wanhee Lee, who worked on the washing machine’s development and performance, and Woong Choi, who worked on product planning

Global Cooperation With the Common Goal of Marine Environment Preservation

Early last year, executives from Samsung and Patagonia met to begin discussions on developing a solution to reduce microplastics that are shed from clothes when washed. Microplastics have a major impact on the environment, threatening not only the marine ecosystem but the health of the humans as well. It is estimated that the ocean floor alone is now home to over 14 million tons of microplastics,¹ with 35 percent of marine microplastics coming from laundering clothes made from synthetic fibers.² Scientists have also discovered that humans ingest the equivalent of one credit card of microplastics per week from the air we breathe and the water we drink.³

▲ Chiwoong Yoon, who worked on ESG strategy to develop the microplastic reduction washing machine

“Since Samsung’s Digital Appliances division was already conducting its own research to reduce microplastics, we were able to form a mutual understanding and agreed to work together quickly,” said Yoon, who acted as manager throughout the collaborative project. “The support from Patagonia heavily motivated us and gave us the confidence to accelerate the development of a practical solution and commercialize it.”

In order to accurately and objectively verify that microplastics were being reduced, the companies needed help from a research institute in the field. Patagonia introduced the nonprofit marine conservation research organization Ocean Wise Plastics Lab to Samsung. Samsung formed hypotheses based on various research materials provided by Patagonia and, with the help of Ocean Wise Plastics Lab, conducted actual tests to find the most effective laundering method for reducing microplastic shedding as well as the standard for measuring how effective the reduction was.

New washing machines are not the only ones to benefit as all connected washers will also gain access to this course by the end of the year through updates.

Reducing Microplastic Emissions by 54 Percent With Ecobubble Technology

A year after the development began, Samsung finally succeeded in developing a laundry cycle that is specifically designed to reduce microplastic shedding by up to 54 percent.⁴ The unique technology both effectively washes clothes and reduces the release of microplastics, all while maintaining the quality of your clothes.

▲ Wanhee Lee, who worked on the washing machine’s development and performance in the project

“Samsung’s proprietary Ecobubble was utilized to reduce the emission of microplastics,” said Lee. “Ecobubble enables laundry detergent to be dissolved and absorbed by the water quickly to effectively remove dirt and stains. So, it minimizes the abrasion of clothes, which is the main cause of microplastic shedding, and it protects the fabric as well.” He added, “Ecobubble effectively cleans clothes even when using cold water, which requires up to 70 percent⁵ less energy.”

Sincerity, Expertise and Hope as the Drivers for Success for the Future Generation

Aside from simply creating a new product for consumers, the collaborative development is a meaningful and proactive move to preserve the health of the marine environment and as such has garnered a lot of attention. Despite the project’s success, there were difficulties to overcome throughout the course of development.

“There was no standard for measuring the effectiveness of microplastics reduction from laundry in the first place,” said Lee when sharing the difficulties he faced during the initial development process. “We had to start by exploring and questioning the basics, such as how to collect microplastics from a vast amount of water from laundry, which ingredient would be most effective, how to execute each step of the plan, how to design the washing machine and more,” he explained.

“It was not easy for the employees of different companies with different corporate cultures to see the issue from the same perspective,” Yoon said. “But in the end, we were able to achieve a good result because all our expertise came together, including the clear direction of the project based on Patagonia’s support and Ocean Wise Plastics Lab’s technology to measure the reduction of microplastics,” he said.

A Courageous Attempt That Prioritizes the Impact on the Environment

▲ Woong Choi, who worked on product planning in the project

“I thought that washing machines had an indirect effect on the environment through the pollutants in the laundry wastewater or through electricity energy consumption,” said Choi who was in charge of product planning within the project. “But once I saw the actual figures of the effects, I was quite shocked. The fact that Samsung made a proactive move by cooperating with a global clothing brand and an environmental organization was such a courageous act, especially since it is not easy for anyone to address the issue of microplastics,” he added.

“When it comes to talking about the microplastic reduction washing machine, we have to start from the fact that microplastics are discharged in the course of laundry at all, which may not be a comfortable topic from a manufacturer’s perspective,” said Park who worked on communications and marketing for the project. “However, we prioritized the impact on the environment and developed a product that can contribute to the protection of the marine environment. I’m proud to have been involved in the entire process of this meaningful project.”

“From the marketer’s perspective, it is of course important to let consumers know how good this project is and how it is different from other projects. But at the same time, I hope consumers can also see our values, including our sincere concern for the environment and our courageous attempt as well,” she added.

Continuing Solution Development and Open Cooperation for a Healthy Environment

These days, consumers are becoming more interested in environmental products. When asked about their plans and goals going forward after working on this project, the interviewees expressed their desires to further the project’s impact.

“Furthermore, in October in the European market, we’re going to release the Bespoke AI washing machine, which uses 10 percent less electricity than the criteria needed for an A Grade rating under the new European energy labelling system. It will also be released in Korea as well afterward.”

▲ Josephine Park, who worked on marketing in the project

“When it comes to saving energy, each person plays a crucial role. Samsung’s washing machines will lead the way to help people easily practice sustainable, eco-conscious living,” Park said.

Finally, the interviewees offered some tips about how consumers can help to protect the environment while doing laundry.

“Rather than washing a small amount of clothes frequently, washing a large amount of clothes all at once and choosing a lower water temperature for clothes that are not too dirty can save both energy and the amount of water used,” Lee said.

“In many cases, people tend to use too much detergent when washing clothes,” Park said. “But it’s better to reduce the amount you use to an appropriate level. Samsung’s washing machines have an AI Wash mode that measures the weight of the load and the level of soiling to automatically use the right amount of detergent. I highly recommend users use this feature.”

Through IFA 2022, Samsung not only showcased its microplastic reduction washing machine but also emphasized its vision for sustainable living by showcasing environmental products and solutions. Samsung will continue to work to make the planet healthier by both reducing its environmental impact and helping users do the same through new partnerships and innovative products.

1 “Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments From the Great Australian Bight,” CSIRO (2020)

2 According to a paper cited in the 2017 report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UCNI), laundry (microfiber) accounts for 35% of the cause of marine microplastics.

3 “No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People,” World Wide Fund For Nature (2019)

4 Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model WW4000T and the Less Microfiber cycle on WW7000B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested by the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

5 Based on internal testing on the WW11BBA049AB model in normal usage conditions. Results: Annual power consumption without AI Energy Mode = 88.7KWh. Annual power consumption with AI Energy Mode = 31.5KWh. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions.

“At CES 2022, we outlined how Samsung will contribute in tackling some of the world’s most pressing environmental and sustainability issues,” said Hyesoon Yang, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “Collaborations to combat microplastic pollution; helping consumers reduce their energy consumption; cutting back on waste by using recycled plastic; and adapting eco-conscious packaging, these are some of the activities we are working on to develop various tangible solutions for environmental problems and a sustainable future.”

Technology To Reduce Pollution

In a newly announced collaboration, Samsung is coming together with American clothing company Patagonia. As unveiled at CES 2022, this collaboration will promote environmental sustainability by addressing the issue of microplastics and its impact on the ocean environment. Patagonia CPO Vincent Stanley shared his thoughts during Samsung’s keynote speech on the significance of this collaboration and the direction it will take, calling it an example of how companies can “help turn the tide of climate change and restore nature to health.”

Patagonia is well-known for its commitment to innovative materials that lessen harm to the planet. The clothing company continues to help Samsung in multiple ways, including product testing, sharing its research and facilitating an introduction to the NGO Ocean Wise. Samsung has been researching features designed to help overcome the negative impacts of microplastics.

Also, the Bespoke Water Purifier was recently certified by NSF International in the U.S. for its ability to filter out particles that measure as little as 0.5 to 1 micrometer, which include microplastics. This makes Samsung one of the first manufacturers of water purifiers to receive this certification.

Saving More Energy and Encouraging More Eco-Conscious Energy Use

To contribute to better energy usage and to support sustainable living, Samsung has also partnered with Q CELLS to establish a new Zero Energy Home Integration¹ feature for SmartThings Energy. This feature provides production and storage data from solar panels and energy storage systems to help users establish energy self-sufficiency.

SmartThings Energy monitors power usage of consumers’ connected devices and recommends energy-saving methods based on their usage patterns. Partnering with Wattbuy in the U.S. and Uswitch in the U.K., SmartThings Energy allows users to switch over to the most cost-efficient energy provider in their area.

Ramping Up Use of Recycled Plastic

Samsung will also increase the amount of recycled plastic that is used in its home appliances. To this end, it will expand the use of recycled plastic from the interior components of its appliances to the exterior elements as well.

Samsung is set to raise its goal for recycled plastic utilization in its home appliances from five percent in 2021 to 30 percent in 2024. This is an increase from 25,000 tons of recycled plastic in 2021 to 158,000 tons in 2024.²

In addition, Samsung has also developed a new type of polypropylene recycled plastic for its washing machine tubs. Using discarded polypropylene and polyethylene from items such as used lunchboxes and facial mask straps, the company has created a new type of recycled resin that is more resistant to external shocks.

More Sustainable Packaging

Samsung is also expanding its use of eco-packaging to encompass a larger lineup of products, including home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, air purifiers and more. This will enable consumers to repurpose the boxes their products came in.

The expansion was first launched in Korea in 2021 and will be introduced to global markets in 2022.

For more information about Samsung’s eco-conscious initiatives, please visit Samsung.com.

¹ Available from the first half of 2022 in the U.K., the second half of 2022 in Germany and 2023 in the U.S.

² Based on weight of final components

Samsung Electronics today unveiled its vision for the future, “Together for tomorrow”, during a pre-show keynote event at CES 2022. Keynote speaker Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung, highlighted the company’s efforts to usher in a new age of togetherness, with customizable experiences that reflect consumers’ evolving lifestyles, and innovations that mark progress for both society and the planet.

The company’s “Together for tomorrow” vision is one that empowers everyone to create positive change and drives collaborations that address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges. The keynote illustrated how Samsung plans to make its vision a reality by introducing a range of sustainability initiatives, purposeful partnerships, and customizable and connected technologies.

“I’m excited for you to be a part of our vision to see how innovation can create positive change, [and] to join us and work together for tomorrow,” said Han. ”These developments will make sustainability part of your product experience, enabling you to live a more sustainable life.”

Building a Sustainable Future

At its core, Samsung’s vision for the future is built on what the company calls “everyday sustainability.” It is a concept that inspires Samsung to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does. The company has been realizing its vision by adopting new, low-impact product manufacturing practices, footprint-reducing packaging and a more sustainable customer experience, and by responsibly disposing of products at the end of their lifecycles.

Samsung’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions throughout the production cycle have also earned recognition from the Carbon Trust, the world’s leading authority on carbon footprint. Last year, the company’s Carbon Trust-certified memory chips helped reduce carbon emissions by nearly 700,000 tons.

Samsung’s efforts in this area extend well beyond semiconductors and include expanding the use of recycled materials. To introduce everyday sustainability to more products, Samsung’s Visual Display Business plans to use 30 times more recycled plastics than it did in 2021. The company also revealed plans to expand its use of recycled materials to include all mobile products and home appliances over the next three years.

In 2021, all of Samsung’s TV boxes included recycled materials. For this year, the company revealed that it will be expanding the use of recycled materials to include the boxes’ interior packaging as well. Now, recycled materials will be incorporated into Styrofoam, box holders and plastic bags. The company also announced the global expansion of its award-winning Eco-Packaging program. The expansion of the program, which transforms cardboard boxes into cat houses, side tables and other useful furniture items, will include packaging for home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, air purifiers and more.

Samsung is also building sustainability into the ways that customers experience its products. Such experiences will be integral to empowering people to reduce their carbon footprint and make positive changes together for a better tomorrow. As an example, the company introduced notable enhancements to its first-of-its-kind SolarCell Remote, which eliminates battery waste with a built-in solar panel that can be charged during both day and night.

The enhanced SolarCell Remote gets electricity from radio frequencies in devices like Wi-Fi routers.¹ “What’s more, it will be included in more Samsung products – like new Samsung TVs and home appliances – with the goal of eliminating more than 200 million batteries from landfills.² When you line them up, it is the distance from right here, Las Vegas, to Korea,” said Han.

In addition, by 2025, Samsung plans to make all of its TVs and phone chargers operate on near-zero standby power, so that the products will consume almost no energy when not being used.

E-waste is another big challenge for the electronics industry, which is why Samsung has collected more than five million tons of e-waste since 2009. For mobile products, last year, Samsung launched Galaxy for the Planet, a sustainability platform that was created to bring about tangible climate action and minimize devices’ environmental footprints throughout their lifecycles.

“These are important steps,” said Han, “but we cannot achieve our goals alone. We believe open innovation and collaboration are keys to fighting climate change and protecting our environment.” With this in mind, Samsung announced that its eco-conscious technologies like the SolarCell Remote will be made open source, so that others can utilize them for their new devices too.

Samsung’s decision to make such technologies openly available reflects a commitment to innovation – and to everyday sustainability – that transcends industries. The collaboration with Patagonia that Samsung announced at the keynote demonstrates the type of innovation that can result when companies – even those from entirely different industries – come together to address environmental issues. The innovative solution that the companies are designing will help fight plastic pollution by enabling Samsung washing machines to minimize microplastics from entering waterways through laundry cycles.

“This is a serious problem, and not one we can solve on our own,” said Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia. Commending the hard work and dedication of Samsung engineers, Stanley described the working relationship as “a perfect example of the kind of collaboration we all need to help turn the tide of climate change and restore nature to health.”

“We are thrilled about this collaboration, but our work won’t stop there,” added Han. “We will continue to explore new partnerships and collaborations, aiming to address the challenges facing our planet.”

Empowering Users With Customized Experiences 

In addition to describing steps it is taking to advance everyday sustainability, Samsung outlined various ways it is advancing technology to cater to consumers’ diverse needs. Understanding that each person is unique and wants to customize their devices to suit their lifestyle, Samsung strives to find ways to help people redefine their relationships with everyday technologies. This people-first approach to innovation is a key pillar of the company’s “Together for tomorrow” vision.

The platforms and screens that Samsung unveiled at the event reflect the ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All’ era that Han alluded to at CES 2020. The Freestyle is a lightweight and portable screen that gives you a cinema-quality experience no matter where you are. Featuring AI-enabled sound, built-in streaming apps and a host of useful Smart TV accessibility features, The Freestyle can be set up virtually anywhere and projects up to 100 inches.

The Samsung Gaming Hub, meanwhile, offers an all-in-one platform for discovering and playing cloud and console games, and is set to launch on the company’s 2022 Smart TVs and monitors. Lastly, The Odyssey Ark is a 55-inch, flexible and curved gaming screen that takes immersion to the next level with a multi-view experience that allows users to play games, video chat with friends and watch gaming videos at the same time.

To introduce more tailored product experiences to consumers’ homes, Samsung announced the rollout of even more customization options for its Bespoke lineup of home appliances. This includes new Bespoke options for Samsung’s Family Hub and French 3-Door and 4-Door refrigerators, alongside dishwashers, ranges and over-the-range microwaves. Samsung is also introducing new products like the Bespoke Jet vacuum and Bespoke Washer and Dryer, expanding the lineup to every room in the home to offer consumers more ways to customize their space to suit their style and needs.

Samsung is constantly exploring ways to harness customization to help users get more out of their devices. The #YouMake Project represents the culmination of those efforts empowering consumers to choose and customize products based on what matters most to them, so they can enjoy a more personalized experience across their devices. Announced at the keynote, the initiative expands Samsung’s Bespoke vision beyond home appliances and brings it to life in the company’s smartphones and large-screen devices.

Ushering in an Era of Seamless Connectivity

Building a better future together for tomorrow requires more than building customization and sustainability into the core of Samsung’s products – it also requires seamless connectivity. During the keynote, Samsung demonstrated its commitment to ushering in an era of truly seamless connected experiences by highlighting its collaborations with partners as well as its next-gen products.

Unveiled for the first time at CES, the all-new Samsung Home Hub takes connected home experiences to the next level with a SmartThings service that integrates with AI-connected appliances to simplify home management. Samsung Home Hub combines six SmartThings services into one convenient device that gives users complete control over their smart home and makes it easier to manage household chores.

To enable different types of smart devices to work better with each other, Samsung announced plans to make SmartThings Hub a built-in feature of its 2022 TVs, Smart Monitors and Family Hub refrigerators. Doing so will help make connected living experiences more accessible and seamless for everyone.

Pointing to the need to offer consumers the best smart home experience regardless of brand, Samsung also announced its role as a founding member of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), which brings together various smart home appliance manufacturers. The organization aims to foster greater interoperability between devices across brands to give consumers more choice, and to enhance the security and safety of products and services.

“As a global coalition of smart home appliance manufacturers, HCA members share a belief that connected ecosystems and digital technology will allow us to further develop product experiences that are elegant, hyper-personalized and truly smart for our consumers,” said Katherine Shin, Vice President of Customer Experience at Trane Technologies. “The HCA invites any global manufacturers with a similar vision for efficiency, interoperability and innovation to come and build with us.”

Samsung’s keynote underlined a deep commitment to corporate social responsibility that continues to characterize its approach to innovation. That commitment is not only realized in the company’s technologies, but also in its dedication towards programs that empower the next generation to bring about the changes they want to see in the world. By nurturing young people’s development and building skills for the workplaces of tomorrow, programs like Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung Innovation Campus are turning dreams into action.

“Today, I’m honored to share that Samsung’s programs to empower the next generation have now reached more than 21 million people since 2012,” said Han. “This is the better tomorrow we all seek: enabling people to reach beyond their dreams, a planet protected so others can experience its wonders, [and] innovation as the spark for change.”

For more information, including images and videos of the products Samsung is announcing at CES 2022, please visit news.samsung.com/global/ces-2022.

¹ For radio frequency harvesting, a physical proximity of SolarCell Remote to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router is required.

² Estimate is based on expected sales volume and average usage period of related products.

We’ve all seen the heartbreaking images of once beautiful beaches that are now covered in plastic waste. This problem means that birds, turtles and other forms of sea life are now required to share their habitats with endless mounds of bottles, straws and other discarded plastics.

So far, most of our efforts to clean up the ocean have focused on single use plastic products. But the plastics we see are actually only the tip of the iceberg. Below the ocean’s surface lurks an invisible threat that grows more serious by the day, and makes the development of eco-conscious products and solutions more important than ever.

Our Oceans: A Sink for Microplastics

Scientists estimate that the ocean floor alone is now home to over 14 million tons¹ of what are called “microplastics”. These tiny pieces of plastic are often too small to see with the naked eye, but can also measure up to 5mm in size.

But, while often incredibly small, these microplastics can have devastating effects on ecosystems and even human health. Around the world, more than 80 percent of tap water samples contain traces of microplastics.² One study from the World Wildlife Fund estimates that humans ingest the equivalent of one credit card of plastic per week³ through the air they breathe and the water they drink.

Where Do Microplastics Come From?

Microplastics can enter the environment in a few different ways. The first is when they’re released directly as small plastic particles, such as microbeads. These substances are known as primary microplastics. The second way is when larger plastics from everyday items break down over time into tiny pieces. These types are known as secondary microplastics.

But another form of microplastic that many people aren’t aware of is the kind that is released from our laundry when we wash synthetic textiles. That includes your favorite fleece sweater, your nylon jacket, and yes, even those comfy spandex yoga pants. From manufacturing these fabrics to washing them, microplastics can be created throughout many stages of these products’ lifecycles.

Partnering Up To Stop Microplastics

However, there is hope on the horizon that we will soon be able to start eliminating microplastics from our waterways. NGOs, governments and brands around the world have taken note of the rising number of these invisible but harmful plastics and are taking important actions to help keep them out of our oceans. Add-on filters for washing machines and protective laundry bags are just some of the solutions that are now available to help capture some of the microplastics released during washing.

Working With Samsung To Stem the Tide

While add-on filters and laundry bags are a start, more holistic solutions are needed to cut down the amount of microplastics that are released throughout a product’s lifecycle. That’s why Samsung is working with Patagonia on a joint solution.

Together, the companies are working on a feasible, effective and expandable way to combat the microplastics that result from textiles and laundry. Samsung is taking the goal of cleaner oceans to heart by designing a sophisticated new washing machine that lets people safely wash their favorite garments while minimizing the impact of microplastics. And this eco-conscious solution will come without compromising on the high-performance cleaning and care that Samsung’s washers are known for.

This is only the latest in a long line of steps Samsung is taking to create long-lasting appliances that improve environmental sustainability. Samsung’s washers already use a unique feature called Ecobubble, which lets consumers clean their clothes efficiently, even at low temperatures, by generating a greater amount of bubbles. This helps the detergent quickly penetrate fabrics and remove dirt, all while saving energy and protecting the color and texture of the clothing.

What’s more, the AI Wash feature makes use of sensors to measure the weight of the load and the level of soiling to ensure that the optimal amount of water, detergent and energy is used to get that specific load clean – cutting down water waste, and using less energy in the process.

Collaborations like the one between Samsung and Patagonia can help turn the tide on ocean pollution. With its commitment to sustainable living, Samsung will continue working to design products that minimize its impact on the environment. Because the best way to get plastics out of our oceans is to prevent them from ending up there in the first place.

¹ “Microplastic Pollution in Deep-Sea Sediments From the Great Australian Bight,” CSIRO, (2020)

² “Invisibles The Plastic Inside Us,” Orb Media, (2017)

³ “No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People,” World Wide Fund For Nature, (2019)