A CORNISH start-up based in Bude has won one of the world’s most prestigious awards for improving the health of the oceans, thanks to its pioneering work on a groundbreaking circular solution to capturing and recycling microfibres filtered out from domestic and commercial washing machines.

Pitted against 200 businesses from 54 countries, the British green-tech business Cleaner Seas Group (CSG), which already counts Coldplay, the UK government, and investors such as SFC Capital amongst its backers, succeeded in scooping the prestigious international Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 Award in Australia on November 22, with its Indi™ home microfibre filter. 

In addition to winning a prize pot of $50,000 (AUSD) to help the winner accelerate its growth, Cleaner Seas Group also won the right to pitch its groundbreaking capture system to high profile Australian businesses interested in its technology. 

Launched just seven months ago, Cleaner Seas Group’s Indi™ home microfibre filter has been making significant waves. 

Dave Miller, CEO of Cleaner Seas Group, said: “It has been a fantastic year for us. 

“We are in a hugely exciting, accelerated growth phase with new products, markets, awards and investments. Increased awareness of the need for microplastic reduction and demand for commercial solutions presents a huge opportunity for us to make a difference, and recognition by an international award of this gravitas can only support our business development further. 

“We are currently in the process of raising additional capital to fund the growth of our consumer and industrial filter business lines both in the UK and internationally. 

“Further growth will enable us to innovate to maintain our position as the technological leader in microplastic filtration.”

The Cleaner Seas Group (CSG), based in Bude, has won this prestigious awards for improving the health of the oceans. It achieved this with a filter which captures 90 per cent of the microplastics produced when people wash their clothes. 

CSG scooped the prestigious international Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 Award in Australia on with its innovative Indi™ microfibre washing machine filter. 

The accolade recognises transformative products that significantly contribute to improving ocean health. 

Dave Miller adds: “Everyone in the company has a personal connection to the ocean. We are surfers, kayakers and wild swimmers and we feel passionately about keeping the oceans free of microplastics. 

“Our filter technology has the potential to dramatically reduce the problem of microfibre pollution, helping to reduce the prevalence of microplastic pollution in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. 

“If every washing machine in the UK had a filter fitted, a staggering 63,180 kg of microplastic could potentially be prevented from entering oceans; the equivalent weight of two humpback whales each year.”

James Sirmon, technical director of Cleaner Seas Group, explained: “We have worked with universities and partners to inform our research, development and innovation. 

“The filter cartridge contains a spool of microfibre-collecting filter paper. 

“Our in-built sensor technology detects when each section of the cartridge filter paper is full and winds the filter paper along. 

“An intelligent LED warning light system indicates when the cartridge or batteries need replacing and the unlikely event of a filter unit fault. 

“We have designed the product to fit all washing machines worldwide, so it is a global solution for a global problem.”

Tim Silverwood, co-founder at Ocean Impact Organisation said: “The team at CSG should be immensely proud of this achievement. 

“To be crowned Winner from 200 Pitchfest entries is no small feat. The judging panel were impressed with the potential of the solution to prevent microplastic pollution and the progress made to date.

“We were thrilled to host Dave and Avril in Sydney and look forward to seeing their future impact in Australia and across the globe. The future looks bright for CSG!”