RSE and Biomatrix Unveil Floating Ecosystem on River Clyde, Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• RSE and strategic partner Biomatrix Water have unveiled a new floating ecosystem on the River Clyde during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow.
• The new island was installed last Wednesday to demonstrate Scottish expertise in nature-based solutions for water-sector challenges.
• Floating ecosystems use native plants on buoyant platforms to support natural filtration, improve water quality and create habitats for aquatic life.
• Biomatrix Water’s floating wetlands are manufactured in Forres and have been deployed in more than 20 countries.
• The latest installation builds on the first floating ecosystem at Glasgow Science Centre, installed in 2023.
• Since 2023, the Canting Basin has seen new habitats for nesting birds and fish, while seals and otters have been attracted to the area.
• Glasgow Central MSP Alison Thewliss visited the Clyde docks on Monday to view the existing ecosystem and meet representatives from RSE, Biomatrix Water and Glasgow Science Centre.
• RSE and Biomatrix Water announced their strategic partnership in December 2024.
• Biomatrix Water managing director and founder Galen Fulford said the partnership combines water-treatment expertise with nature-based solutions.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) October 9, 2026 – A new floating ecosystem has been unveiled on the River Clyde as Scottish water technology company RSE and its strategic partner Biomatrix Water showcase nature-based approaches to improving urban waterways during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow.

As reported by Smart Water Magazine, the River Clyde’s newest island was installed last Wednesday to highlight how Scottish expertise in nature-based solutions is being used to address challenges facing the water sector. The installation was announced on Friday, October 9, by RSE and Biomatrix Water.

Floating ecosystems are buoyant platforms that use the natural filtration properties of native plants to help improve water quality and create habitats for aquatic life. The technology is designed to support biodiversity while demonstrating how engineered and natural systems can work alongside one another in urban water environments.

What has been installed on the Clyde?

The latest Clyde island forms part of a wider programme of floating wetland installations in the historic shipyard docks. According to Project Scotland, RSE and Biomatrix Water unveiled the new ecosystem during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, which is taking place in Glasgow.

The project builds on Biomatrix Water’s existing work to restore biodiversity in parts of the Clyde affected by decades of industrial pollution, altered floodplains and non-native species. The new island is intended to demonstrate the potential of floating wetlands to create healthier and more resilient urban waterways.

Biomatrix Water’s floating wetlands are manufactured in Forres. The company says its systems have been deployed in more than 20 countries worldwide, positioning the Clyde installation as part of a broader international application of the technology.

How do the floating ecosystems work?

Floating ecosystems are planted platforms that sit on the water’s surface. Their root systems extend into the water, where native plants can support natural filtration processes and provide shelter, feeding areas and nesting opportunities for wildlife.

As reported by Smart Water Magazine, the platforms harness the natural filtration properties of native plants to improve water quality and create thriving habitats for aquatic life. The approach is designed to add ecological value to hard-edged urban waterways without requiring major alteration to the surrounding landscape.

The Clyde installation is intended to show how such systems can be used in places where conventional habitat restoration may be difficult. The historic docks have been shaped by industrial activity, changes to floodplains and the presence of non-native species.

What has the earlier Clyde project achieved?

The newest island follows the first floating ecosystem installed at Glasgow Science Centre in 2023. Since then, the Canting Basin has developed new habitats for nesting birds and fish, while larger wildlife including seals and otters have been attracted to the area.

Glasgow Science Centre says its floating wetlands in the Canting Basin cover nearly 200 square metres and include more than 2,000 native plants and trees. The installation also features nesting platforms and was developed with the University of Glasgow’s School of Geographic and Earth Sciences.

The university installed monitoring equipment and carried out a baseline biodiversity and ecosystem study in the basin. This allows future evaluation of the project’s impact and may support similar efforts to introduce green infrastructure into urban spaces.

Who visited the Clyde docks?

Glasgow Central MSP Alison Thewliss visited the Clyde docks on Monday to see the existing ecosystem ahead of the latest installation. She met representatives from RSE, Biomatrix Water and Glasgow Science Centre to learn how the nature-based technology works and how it could be applied in Scotland.

The visit highlighted the role of the existing Canting Basin project as a visible example of floating wetland technology. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the potential uses of such systems in Scottish water environments.

RSE and Biomatrix Water announced their strategic partnership in December 2024. The collaboration brings together RSE’s water-treatment expertise and Biomatrix Water’s experience in designing, manufacturing and installing floating wetland ecosystems.

What did Biomatrix Water say?

Galen Fulford, managing director and founder of Biomatrix Water, said the partnership with RSE brings together water-treatment expertise and nature-based solutions to address industry challenges across the world.

As reported by Smart Water Magazine, Fulford said:

“Our partnership with RSE brings together water treatment expertise and nature-based solutions to help us address industry challenges across the world.

“This positive progress in the Clyde’s ecosystem shows what can be achieved when innovation, collaboration and nature work together. We are proud to have worked alongside the teams at RSE and Glasgow Science Centre on the new island installation and to be creating healthier, more resilient urban waterways.”

Why is the exhibition significant?

The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition brings together water-sector professionals, researchers, policymakers and technology innovators. RSE is a principal sponsor of the event, which is being held at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow.

RSE says the congress provides an opportunity to share expertise, showcase technologies and contribute to discussions on the future of water infrastructure. The company has also highlighted its Active Island Reactor, an engineered floating ecology designed to optimise natural treatment processes within a planted aquatic landscape.

The Clyde installation provides a local demonstration of the type of nature-based solution being discussed at the congress. It also links Glasgow’s industrial waterfront heritage with current efforts to improve biodiversity and water quality.

Background of the development

The Canting Basin forms part of the old Prince’s Dock and flows in from the River Clyde. Glasgow Science Centre says the basin has hard-edged riverbanks and a tidal range of up to four metres, creating a challenging environment for wildlife to flourish naturally.

The first Biomatrix floating ecosystems were installed at Glasgow Science Centre in 2023. The three islands cover a total area of 192 square metres and contain more than 2,000 native aquatic plants. They are anchored by cables, allowing the platforms to rise and fall with the tide.

The earlier project was a collaboration between Glasgow Science Centre and the University of Glasgow. It was designed to increase biodiversity, provide habitat for birds and fish, and create a “living laboratory” for scientific monitoring and student research.

Biomatrix Water has said the wetlands can support species including moorhens, ducks and cormorans, while providing shelter and feeding grounds for fish. The company also said the installations could attract wider Clyde wildlife, including seals, otters and porpoises.

The latest installation extends that work and was unveiled during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. It reflects the continued partnership between RSE, Biomatrix Water and Glasgow Science Centre in demonstrating floating ecosystem technology on the Clyde.

Prediction: how could this affect Glasgow residents and visitors?

For Glasgow residents and visitors, the development could gradually increase opportunities to see wildlife along the Clyde, particularly around the Glasgow Science Centre and Canting Basin area. The existing wetlands have already been associated with nesting birds and fish habitats, while seals and otters have been attracted to the wider area.

The floating ecosystems may also add to the environmental appeal of the riverside as a place for walking, learning and observing nature. Glasgow Science Centre already offers interpretation boards, binoculars and wetland tours connected to the existing installations.

For local businesses, educators and tourism providers, the project could support interest in nature-based attractions along the Clyde. The presence of monitoring equipment and university research may also create opportunities for schools, students and community groups to learn about biodiversity, water quality and urban ecology.

For policymakers and water-sector organisations, the Clyde project provides a practical example of how floating wetlands can be used in urban settings. If the new island performs in line with the earlier installations, it could inform future decisions about using similar nature-based solutions elsewhere in Glasgow and across Scotland.