A pioneering Bristol technology company, which was the sole UK finalist for Prince William's prestigious Earthshot Prize in 2025, has secured a major investment from the global retail giant IKEA. The firm, Matter, has developed a groundbreaking filtration system designed to stop microplastics and microfibres from textile manufacturing from contaminating the world's waterways.
A Landmark Investment for a Cleaner Future
The investment was led by Inter IKEA, the group that connects IKEA franchisees with its vast network of suppliers. While the precise financial details of the deal remain confidential, this funding represents a significant endorsement for Matter's technology. The capital injection will empower the company to accelerate the installation of its systems, with an ambitious target of equipping around 400 factories by 2030.
This rapid scaling is projected to have a monumental environmental impact. Matter estimates that its technology will prevent a staggering 15,000 tonnes of plastic pollution from entering our oceans over the next five years alone.
Bridging Sustainability and Commercial Success
Adam Root, the Chief Executive and Founder of Matter, hailed the partnership as a powerful example of how environmental innovation can align with business needs. He stated that the adoption of their technology, known as Regen, by Inter IKEA demonstrates "what is possible when sustainability meets commercial viability." Root emphasised the critical role large corporations play in supporting new technologies and creating meaningful, large-scale environmental change.
The collaboration extends beyond mere funding. It is understood that Inter IKEA will actively explore how Matter's filtration technology can transform textile production on a global scale within its own value chain.
Corporate Commitment to Water Stewardship
Linn Clabburn, Innovation Ventures Leader at Inter IKEA Group, reinforced the company's commitment to sustainable water use. "IKEA is committed to using water sustainably by reducing water usage across our value chain and by protecting nature and supporting communities affected by water pollution," Clabburn said. She identified microplastics as a critical industry-wide challenge and expressed that the investment in Matter is a proactive step towards inspiring broader societal action on water quality.
Following this investment round, Matter's immediate plan is to scale its industrial filtration technology by collaborating closely with manufacturers across the textile supply chain. The company has already announced that it will deliver four full-scale Regen treatment systems to the textile industry next year.
This new funding builds upon Matter's strong track record. In 2024, the company partnered with Paradise Textiles, a producer for major brands like Calvin Klein and North Face, to tackle microfibre pollution. A year earlier, in 2023, Matter successfully raised $10 million in a Series A funding round. The business is backed by a consortium of prominent investors, including S2G Ventures, SOUNDwaves, and the climate tech fund Regeneration.VC, which is supported by the actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio.
