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Innovative Device Promises to Transform Laundries by Saving Water and Capturing Microplastics Before They Reach the Sewage. Launch Arrives in the Professional Sector with Proven Results and Potential for Global Expansion.
The Swedish startup Mimbly launched the second generation of the Mimbox on the market, an intelligent box developed to be attached to the outflow hose of professional washing machines, aiming to save up to 70% of the water used in each cycle, reduce energy costs, and prevent microplastics from reaching the sewage system.
The new Mimbox 2 device began distribution to the professional sector in May 2025, following a series of tests conducted in laundries and condominiums in Sweden.
According to the manufacturer, the technology has already allowed for the savings of more than 4 million liters of water in pilot projects since 2022.
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Challenge of Water Consumption and Microplastics in Laundries
The clothing washing sector is historically identified as one of the major villains of potable water waste and the release of plastic fibers into aquatic environments.
A report funded by the European Union reveals that there are approximately 205 million domestic washing machines and about 820 thousand industrial ones in Europe, responsible for high volumes of water, energy, and microplastics discarded into the environment every year.
The search for innovative solutions that make consumption more sustainable has intensified in recent years, given the water scarcity in various regions of the planet.
How the Swedish Mimbox Works
The Mimbox is designed to work in a plug-and-play manner, meaning it can be installed directly onto the outflow hose of professional washing machines without any need for modifications.
The system operates in four main stages:
- Initially, the used water exits the washing machine and passes through a filter with a porosity of 50 micrometers, capable of capturing a large part of the synthetic microfibers present in the effluent.
- Next, sensors analyze the quality of the filtered water.
- If the safety and hygiene criteria are met, the water is stored for up to 24 hours in a sanitized internal reservoir.
- This water can then be reused in subsequent cycles, being supplemented with clean water only when necessary.
This process also conserves part of the heat of the residual water, which reduces energy consumption by up to 30% during heating for new washes.
Results and Environmental Impact of the Mimbox 2 Device
Independent laboratory tests conducted in 2022 indicated that the Mimbox can generate a water consumption reduction of up to 50% and remove up to 80% of microplastics in commercial laundry operations.
In a pilot project conducted in partnership with the municipal housing company UppsalaHem, two machines equipped with the Mimbox managed to save 100 thousand liters of water and collect 2.8 kilograms of plastic fibers in just eight months.
The success of the experiment led to the expansion of the initiative, with plans to install the system in ten machines and an annual goal of 750 thousand liters of reused water.
European Support and International Expansion
The second generation of the Mimbox was developed from an investment of 1.85 million euros, sourced from the European Horizon 2020 program, dedicated to innovation and sustainability.
The funds allowed for the validation of the production line in Sweden and made the first commercial units of the product feasible.
By June 2025, the installed pilot devices had already surpassed the mark of 4 million liters of reused water in more than 200 thousand washing cycles, according to telemetry data provided by Mimbly.
The company has set a goal to capture up to 90% of microfibers and expand the global operation of the Mimbox.
Statements from executives involved in the project highlight the direct impacts.
According to Per Viklund, a representative of UppsalaHem, each equipped machine can save up to 75 thousand liters of water per year and prevent the release of kilograms of microplastics into the oceans.
For Lauok Bahaddin, account manager at Mimbly, the solution has an immediate impact and can be used in any laundry without the need to replace equipment, just connecting the device and monitoring the results.
Brazilian Market and Adoption Challenges
In countries like Brazil, the discussion around water reuse and waste reduction in laundries gains prominence given the rise in the average cost of water and sewage, which increased by 18% in 12 months, according to the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA).
In addition, the occurrence of prolonged droughts increases the importance of domestic and professional solutions for water conservation.
Mimbly is negotiating with partners to adapt the Mimbox to the profile of top-loading washers, common in the Latin American market.
There is no official price released, but the estimate is to keep the value close to US$ 100 per unit for emerging markets, which, according to the manufacturer, would allow for a return on investment within two years through savings on water bills.
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