Suzuki Marine moves forward with innovative micro-plastics filter for outboard motors

Leading innovator Suzuki Marine is actively testing its new micro-plastics filter device and is moving closer to making this product available to boaters around the world. 

This device is but one part of the company’s larger Clean Oceans Project initiative, through which Suzuki is applying its technical expertise, resources and manpower to help make a positive impact for aquatic environments worldwide.

Previewed to the world’s boating industry in Fall 2020 as the first micro-plastics collection device designed for installation on outboard motors, Suzuki has continued to test and refine this product, which has the power to make Suzuki owners part of the solution to the global challenge of micro-plastics pollution.  

The plan is to test run the filters on these engines and document their effectiveness in collecting various types of micro-plastics pollution.  Micro-plastic pollution is created when bottles, bags, wrappers and other trash thrown into the ocean are broken down into smaller and smaller pieces by the sun, salt water and wave action. 

While micro-plastic particles are tiny — smaller than 5mm as defined by N.O.A.A. — they present a huge environmental challenge for aquatic environments and animals.  Not only are these particles hard to detect and remove, but they are also often ingested by turtles, fish and other sea creatures, causing harm and even death.

Suzuki’s innovative micro-plastics filter is designed to integrate with the outboard motor’s cooling system, allowing a specially engineered filter screen to collect this pollution as owners drive their boats.  The system is designed so that the filter element can be cleaned of debris as needed and re-used, with a built-in bypass that will prevent a clogged filter from ever causing engine performance or overheating issues.  Suzuki has engineered this device to be easily installed under then engine cowl, effortless to use and easy to clean and maintain for boaters.

“Protecting the marine environment for future generations has always been important to Suzuki,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Vice President of Suzuki Marine.  “Whether by innovating new technology, reducing the use of plastics in our products, packaging and shipping, or putting on gloves and rolling up our sleeves to pick up trash off the beach, Suzuki Marine is committed to keeping our waters and shorelines clean and healthy.  When it becomes available to the boating public, this new filtering system will allow our customers to join our effort, simply through the act of using their boats,” added Blakely.

Suzuki's "clean ocean project"

If you’re going to claim to be “The Ultimate Outboard Motor,” you’d better do more than just build great engines. This is why, for the past 10 years, Suzuki has been committed to cleaning up the marine environment through voluntary Clean Up The World” activities around the globe, rallying more than 8,000 people to the cause.

This has evolved into Suzuki’s recently launched CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT. At the heart of this ongoing campaign is a truly innovative Micro Plastics Filter device designed for use on outboard motors. The first of its kind worldwide, this device allows boaters to become an important part of the solution to the global challenge of micro plastic pollution.

This is only the beginning, as Suzuki is finding ways to reduce plastic waste while educating and informing the boating industry about this critical issue. Suzuki pledges itself to the important cause of protecting our planet’s waters, coastal environments and marine ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.