News: Xeros looks to clean up in America

Xeros Ltd, an innovative cleantech company based in Rotherham, has set its sights on the North American commercial laundry industry, starting in New England.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Leeds University spin-out has developed a "virtually waterless washing machine" using a unique method of 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.

Xeros' patented technology has been developed over the past 30 years by textile chemistry professor Stephen Burkinshaw at the University of Leeds. The Xeros system has now been installed at a first site in America, at Sterling Linen Services, a high-quality linen processing and rental service for area hotels, hospitals and restaurants, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Xeros is expecting further interest with an official roll-out at the 2013 Clean Show in New Orleans to the commercial laundry marketplace and a household sized machine in development for launch in 2014.

Bill Westwater, CEO of Xeros Ltd, said: "Our scientific breakthrough in the UK combined with forward-thinking US entrepreneurs is a great example of how our two countries can come together to lessen laundry's carbon footprint."

Used within a special washing machine also invented by Xeros, 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 can be recycled.

The system, which uses up to 90% less water than traditional washing machines, already has the backing of U.S.-based GreenEarth Cleaning, the world's largest dry cleaning brand.

Tim Maxwell, president of GreenEarth Cleaning, said: "We had the honour of previewing this exciting new technology to many of our 800 U.S. dry cleaning affiliates over the past two years. We believe Xeros will be embraced by our industry because of the significant cost savings and environmental benefits it brings."

Backed by funding from investors and research grants, the work on a washing system of comparable size, appearance and cost to conventional front loading machines that are used in millions of homes across the country is producing results. When compared to these machines, independent analysis by URS has estimated that a Xeros domestic system would slash energy use by half and reduce water consumption by up to 80 per cent. It would also cut CO2 emissions per wash by 25 per cent.

Xeros Ltd website

Images: Xeros Ltd