ACUA and PolyGone Systems Launch the World's First Commercial Microplastic Filtration System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment
October 20, 2026
The permanent installation of two PolyPod™ systems at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) marks the first deployment of commercial-scale microplastic removal technology at a wastewater treatment plant.
3D Rendering of PolyPod™ Deployment. (Photo Credit: PolyGone Systems)
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — October 20, 2026 — The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) and PolyGone Systems today announced the official launch of two commercial microplastic filtration systems at ACUA’s wastewater treatment facility. This project is the first permanent installation of its kind in the world designed to intercept microplastics before they reach the ocean. The system will protect water quality for over 200,000 residents, beach visitors, and marine ecosystems along the New Jersey coast, marking a historic milestone in tackling one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The installation follows a two-year pilot that began in 2024, when ACUA became the first utility in the country to adopt PolyGone's microplastic filtration technology, with New Jersey as the first state across the U.S. to back a pilot of this kind. Over two years, the pilot showed strong potential for scalable microplastic removal, capturing more than 580 million microplastic particles a year from a facility that processes 40 million gallons of water per day.
The First Microplastic Filtration Pilot Launched in September 2024. (Photo Credit: PolyGone Systems)
Backed by that performance, ACUA and PolyGone Systems have moved forward with a permanent, commercial filtration system featuring two enhanced PolyPod™ units that will continuously protect local waterways and marine environments. The shift from pilot to full-scale commercial installation not only solidifies ACUA’s leadership in the global fight against microplastic pollution, but also validates PolyGone Systems’ technology as a scalable solution for the future of microplastic remediation.
“ACUA is proud to continue its partnership with PolyGone and be the first to implement its permanent microplastic filtration system,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “Wastewater treatment facilities have long worked to keep waterways clean. This project highlights how embracing technology and addressing new challenges head on can advance that mission.”
"The greatest opportunity in water treatment isn't simply filtering smaller particles; it's rethinking how we remove them altogether," said Nathaniel Banks, CEO of PolyGone Systems. "By designing technologies that work with natural material interactions instead of against them, we can protect public health by making microplastic water treatment practical at a global scale."
The PolyPod™ system utilizes PolyGone’s proprietary biomimetic filtration technology to passively capture hydrophobic microplastics from treated effluent before they reach natural waterways. Made possible through crucial financing from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, ACUA’s deployment sets a scalable benchmark for wastewater utilities across the U.S. and beyond.
About Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA)
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) is responsible for enhancing the quality of life through the protection of waters and lands from pollution by providing responsible waste management services. Its wastewater treatment facility serves 14 Atlantic County municipalities and can treat up to 40 million gallons per day. The Authority manages more than 60 miles of pipeline and 22 pump stations that transport wastewater from homes and businesses to the facility. The process is powered through renewable energy generated on-site by five wind turbines and 2,700 solar panels. For more information, please visit www.acua.com.
About PolyGone Systems
PolyGone Systems is a New Jersey–based cleantech company developing technologies to monitor and reduce aquatic microplastic pollution. The company combines advanced microplastics analysis with deployable filtration solutions to support municipalities, industries, and communities in understanding contamination levels and implementing effective treatment strategies at scale. Learn more at www.polygonesystems.com.
Media Contacts
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Email: media@polygonesystems.com