This week, Real Leaders® launched the inaugural Eco Innovation Awards to its global community of social impact executives. Arçelik, parent company to 12 leading home appliance brands including Beko and Grundig, has been ranked 3rd in the Top 50 list for its world first integrated FiberCatcher® technology washing machine.

Real Leaders® Eco Innovation Awards recognizes products, projects, and initiatives that are actively contributing to a healthier planet and celebrates achievement in making an environmental impact. Entries were judged on their creativity, innovation, originality, and measurable impact, as well as their ability to help solve an environmental challenge.

One key issue is synthetic microfibers which are the most prevalent type of microplastics found in water, contributing to around 33% of microplastics in the ocean1. To combat the growing tide of microplastic waste, Arçelik developed the innovative FiberCatcher® technology. The washing machines with FiberCatcher® technology include the world’s first integrated synthetic microfiber filtering system that catches up to 90% of synthetic fibers released from garments, which helps protect waterways, oceans, and marine life. Additionally, each FiberCatcher® washing machine produced with a recycled PET tub contains up to 60 recycled bottles to reduce plastic waste.

“We are honored to have our innovation recognized by Real Leaders and pleased to be in the company of our fellow award winners,” said Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Arçelik. “The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our day, and we need creative, innovative solutions as well as collaborative action to ensure a sustainable future. Our FiberCatcher® technology is a world-first innovation in preventing synthetic fiber waste leaking into waterways and demonstrates our commitment to develop effective and concrete solutions to some of our biggest environmental challenges as well as to encourage others to live a more sustainable lifestyle.”

About Arçelik

With over 40,000 employees throughout the world, Arçelik’s global operations include subsidiaries in 52 countries, and 28 production facilities in 9 countries and 12 brands (Arçelik, Beko, Grundig, Blomberg, ElektraBregenz, Arctic, Leisure, Flavel, Defy, Altus, Dawlance, Voltas Beko). As Europe’s second-largest white goods company by market share (based on volumes), Arçelik reached a consolidated turnover of 6.5 billion Euros in 2021. Arçelik’s 28 R&D and Design Centers & Offices across the globe, are home to over 2,200 researchers and hold more than 3,000 international patent applications to date. In 2021, Arçelik achieved the highest score in the DHP Household Durables category for the 3rd year in a row in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Through its leadership position in sustainability and credible decarbonization roadmap for achieving net zero, Arçelik became the first and only company from its industry to receive the Terra Carta Seal by HRH Prince of Wales. Arçelik’s mission is ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide