To extend the application of the new Xeros' Polymer Bead Technology to create novel leather products using sustainable low water use processing; the new technology is applied to chemistries which are commercially impossible to exploit with current manufacturing methods.

To develop a pre-production prototype micro-plasma ozone dosing lance with the aim of improved sanitization and reduced detergent use.

To develop a novel leather processing system with the aim of reduced water usage, energy savings, product quality improvements and cycle time reduction.

Xeros specialises in development of new laundry systems. We have developed a novel bead cleaning technology that reduces water use by 70%, energy by 47% & detergent by 50% providing superior cleaning at lower cost; simplifying & shortening wash cycles; enabling coloured & white fabric mixing. The Xeros system means we can explore ideas impossible with conventional technology. Our new idea is to apply a similar approach in the drying of clothes. We aim to develop new drying beads that absorb remaining water in clothes after the washing cycle. We will exploit the technology by developing drying beads for use in both a drying system & combined wash/dry system. We will market drying beads; dryer & washer/dryers for both commercial & domestic sectors to complement our range of washing beads, wash machines & detergents. The development of drying beads & drying machines will virtually double the market potential of our business & reinforce our position at the forefront of laundry technology.

The project is concerned with a further application of Xeros polymer bead technology to an industrial manufacturing sector.

Climate change and water scarcity are two of the world’s most prolific environmental challenges. Although widely regarded as a basic necessity to daily life, the excessive consumption of water and energy within domestic laundering practices contribute significantly to these environmental challenges. Domestic washing machines consume c.50 litres per wash accounting for 13% of the water we use in our homes. In addition even efficient machines use c.1.0kWh of electricity with drying using at least a further 3kWh. This equates to an estimated 15% of all domestic energy consumption. Driven by legislative and end user demand, the efficiency of washing machines has improved significantly over the past decade yet the fundamental design constraints of conventional water systems allow limited further incremental improvement. Xeros Ltd offer a revolutionary alternative to conventional laundry systems that offers increased water efficiency (up to 80% saving) and increased energy efficiency (potential 50% saving) without any compromise to cleaning performance. Their approach is based on the unique properties of certain polymers to attract & absorb stain molecules. Within the process, stained garments are dampened & then tumbled in polymer beads rather than water in the presence of a small amount of detergent. Limited water is required to produce sufficient humidity to activate the process and achieve the desired levels of cleaning. Building on proven success in the Commercial Laundry market, Xeros, within the scope of the current project, aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a domestic system of comparable size, cost and appearance to current front loading machines. Once developed, the approach offers the potential to revolutionise the $100 billion global laundry sector, with potential savings to the UK consumer totalling more than £2bn per annum and a net reduction of 4.2 M tonnes of CO2 per annum