Going green with the washing machine

Leeds University spinout Xeros is moving its operations to the business park as it bids to break into the global laundry products market.

Bill Westwater, chief executive, said: "This is an exciting development in our plan to offer the world a greener washing system and gives us an impressive location to demonstrate the technology to potential partners. We have received tremendous support from the team at the AMP."

Xeros will be based in a new environmentally efficient unit at Evolution, part of the AMP.

Textile chemistry professor Stephen Burkinshaw developed the technology for the machines over the last 30 years.

The new washers will re-use polymer beads which act as a cleaning agent to remove dirt from clothes, saving up to 90 per cent of water compared to conventional washing machines.

The company said in the US market this would translate into 1.2 billion tonnes of water saved per year, equivalent to 17 million swimming pools.