Scottish water technology company Biomatrix has reached a global milestone, delivering more than 10,300 floating wetland modules across 245 projects worldwide, as it marked World Wetlands Day.
Based in Forres, Biomatrix Water Solutions has deployed 10,368 floating wetland modules across more than 20 countries, supporting efforts to improve water quality and biodiversity in polluted freshwater environments.
The infrastructure-grade floating wetland modules are made from a combination of recycled and natural materials and are designed to interlock, creating large-scale floating ecosystems that replicate the function of natural wetlands.
Bringing wetland benefits to urban and engineered waterways
Described by the company as a “living laboratory”, the floating ecosystems are installed in locations where traditional wetland restoration is not possible, such as urban canals, reservoirs and heavily engineered waterways.
Once established, the planted modules support pollutant removal, provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to improved ecological resilience, while adapting to changing water levels.
Projects using the technology have been delivered in cities including London, Amsterdam, Chicago and Melbourne, with installations ranging from small demonstration schemes to large, integrated waterbody restorations.
Demonstrated impact in high-profile regeneration projects
High-profile examples include Eden Dock at Canary Wharf in London and the “Wild Mile” in Chicago, a stretch of the Chicago River that was once listed among the most endangered rivers in the United States due to severe pollution.
Following the introduction of Biomatrix floating wetlands in 2017, water conditions in the Wild Mile have gradually improved. The area has since been transformed into the world’s first floating eco-park, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year to its network of boardwalks and native planting.
Responding to global wetland loss
The milestone comes amid growing concern over the global loss of wetlands, which are among the planet’s most productive ecosystems and play a critical role in carbon storage, flood management and biodiversity.
According to environmental studies, wetlands are disappearing up to three times faster than forests, largely due to land-use change and urban development.
Galen Fulford, managing director at Biomatrix Water Solutions, said World Wetlands Day provided an opportunity to highlight the role of nature-based solutions in restoring degraded waterways.
“World Wetlands Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate how powerful nature can be in cleaning up our waterways,” he said. “We’re privileged to build on that power as we continue to develop our approach and deliver genuinely impactful projects at pace around the globe.”
Expanding international delivery
Biomatrix is now preparing for a new wave of international projects, working in partnership with delivery and investment partners to scale its floating ecosystem solutions in response to increasing demand for nature-based water treatment and biodiversity enhancement.
The company said its focus remains on restoring waterways constrained by hard, engineered edges, particularly in challenging urban and industrial locations.
