Award for washing alternative

The first Climate Week Awards has named Xeros as the 'Best Technological Breakthrough' for the way that it cleans clothes with very little water.

Xeros technology offers an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional aqueous washing. It is also said to cut water and energy use, and reduce carbon and effluent emissions.

Used within a particluar washing machine also invented by Xeros, a small amount of water is added to loosen clothing stains and activate the polymer beads.

The garments are tumbled gently in the beads which suck dirt off the clothes by absorbing it into their molecular structure.The Xeros beads are said to work for hundreds of washes.At the end of their cleaning life, they will be reused for other applications.

Independent analysis claims that Xeros cleans as well as normal aqueous washers,and environmental consultancy URS found its carbon footprint to be 20% lower.The company will achieve full commercialisation later this year with a system designed specifically for the commercial laundry industry.

Backed by the Prime Minster David Cameron,Xeros received the prestigious 'Best Technological Breakthrough' award from Lord Marland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change.