News: Xeros cleans up at the Climate Week Awards

Xeros Limited, an innovative cleantech company based in Rotherham, has won an award at the first Climate Week Awards.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Leeds University spin-out was named as a "Best Technological Breakthrough" for the world's first "virtually waterless" washing machines.

The unique method uses special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes. Instead a small amount of water is added to loosen clothing stains and activate the beads. Used within a special washing machine also invented by Xeros, the garments are tumbled gently in the beads. They suck dirt off the clothes by absorbing it into their molecular structure. The Xeros beads work for hundreds of washes and at the end of their cleaning life, they will be re-used for other applications, for example, by the automotive industry.

Independent analysis confirms that Xeros cleans as well as normal aqueous washers, and environmental consultancy URS found its carbon footprint to be 20% lower. Xeros has raised funds at every stage of its development, most recently £64 million in October 2010. The company will achieve full commercialisation later this year with a system designed specifically for the commercial laundry industry.

Bill Westwater, CEO of Xeros, said: "Xeros is delighted to win this award for Best Technological Breakthrough. It is a testament to Dr Steve Jenkins, our Chief Technology Officer at Xeros and his team, who have developed a unique cleaning technology that significantly reduces the environmental impact of cleaning clothes.

"The global laundry industry is worth over £60 billion per annum, and this award gives Xeros a tremendous boost as we continue down this exciting path towards commercialisation this year."

Kevin Steele, CEO at Climate Week, added: "The Climate Week Awards celebrate the very best that Britain has to offer in combating climate change. They offer a powerful illustration of what can be achieved to help create a more sustainable, low-carbon society. It's through shining examples like these that we can help inspire others to raise their game."

In November, Time Magazine listed Xeros in The 50 Best Inventions of 2010.

Xeros website

Images: Xeros