Xeros’ key role in saving lives of US firefighters

TECHNOLOGY FIRM Xeros said it has made significant progress towards commercialising its technology at a time when the world is threatened by the environmental challenges of water scarcity and pollution.

The Rotherham-based firm, which makes polymer beads that can be used in specially designed washing machines, has branched out into cleaning and decontaminating firefighters’ uniforms in the US. The firm said its technology is saving firefighters’ lives.

Xeros’ chief executive Mark Nichols said: “Lives are being shortened because of the inhalation of toxins and carcinogens that stay within the uniforms. Xeros’ technology is the only technology that can decontaminate firemen’s uniforms. It can help save the lives of firemen and it also makes the garments last much longer.”

He was speaking as the group announced income of £2.3m in 2017 and a loss of £28.7m. The group said it is at a pivotal point and it hopes to start making a profit over the next few years.

“In high performance workwear, we will be profitable very soon,” said Mr Nichols.

“The cleaning of firemen’s uniforms will be profitable by the end of next year. In domestic laundry, we are in discussions with domestic washing machine manufacturers and we could be profitable by 2019.”

Xeros develops polymer based technologies which improve the sustainability, performance and economics of water intensive processes, dramatically reducing water, chemistry, energy and effluent whilst either meeting or exceeding the conventional quality standards. It has established that its technologies can deliver these benefits in three worldscale industries: cleaning, tanning and textiles.

It is now progressively commercialising applications in these sectors to generate profitable returns.

Given the scale of its markets, the strategy is to commercialise the technology with partners who already have strong international market positions.

“This is a home-grown Yorkshire story with a really good message,” said Mr Nichols.

“In 2016 we worked out what this technology could do. We decided we could be doing more in cleaning technologies. We wanted to wash more difficult garments.

“2018 is the pivot point. Taxes on water in China are really emphasising the adoption of our technology. The biggest markets are in China.

“In addition, water pricing in the US is growing at around 7 per cent year-on-year.”

The group said that water scarcity is becoming a global problem.

“The world is running out of water,” said Mr Nichols.

“China is the most water stressed population on the planet. It’s a major issue.

“Our technology decreases water usage by immense amounts and we extend the life of fabrics such as towels by 10 per cent.”

Its hotel and lodging division generated revenue of £2.0m last year.