October 15th, 2025
Reinventing textiles
Xeros Technology was born as a spinout from the University of Leeds. Xeros is an R&D-driven innovation company dedicated to tackling some of fashion’s most pressing environmental challenges. The heart of its mission lies in disrupting traditional wet-processing methods, widely used for garment care and manufacturing. These typically rely heavily on immense quantities of water, energy and chemicals. Meanwhile, releasing microplastics are being released into our waterways and oceans.
Headquartered in Rotherham, UK, Xeros is composed of scientists, engineers and visionary thinkers working to scale technologies that drastically reduce waste and pollution from clothing production and care.
Xeros has developed three core technologies that target distinct stages of the textile lifecycle, each holding significant transformative potential:
- Their Microfibre Pollution Filter (XFilter/XFiltra™), captures over 99% of microfibres shed during washing, preventing them from entering oceans.
- The Laundry Care System (XOrbs™ and XDrum™) utilises reusable polymer spheres to clean more gently while reducing water, energy and chemical usage.
- Garment Finishing System, designed especially for denim processing, replacing environmentally damaging pumice stones with XOrbs™, slashing water and chemical use by up to half and reducing industrial wastewater.
Xeros licenses these technologies to industry players, while also protecting its IP through dozens of patents. This has led to partnerships with major OEMs and component suppliers serving global brands such as Haier and Bosch. They estimate measurable achievements in millions of litres of water saved and billions of microfibres kept out of marine environments.
The textile and apparel industry has one of the largest environmental footprints, contributing an estimated 2% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consuming vast amounts of water. It is also responsible for significant river pollution from chemical discharge and microplastic pollution reaching even remote ecosystems.
While many textile technology companies focus on indirect sustainability measures, Xeros stands out by addressing the physical pollutants directly, at their source. By integrating clean-tech solutions into industry processes, the company aligns environmental responsibility with commercial value.
Xeros’ partners
Xeros’ growth is clear, having secured licensing agreements with partners across domestic and commercial laundry markets globally. Including IFB in India, Yilmak in garment finishing and Russell Hobbs for microfibre filtration.
International policy drives these collaborations. For example, France now requires all washing machines to include filtration systems by 2025. The UK, EU, California and Australia are also exploring similar measures.
As well as more localised initiatives of collaboration, such as Xeros’ with the University of Surrey to explore upcycling captured microfibres into carbonised materials, creating a circular loop for textile waste.
Xeros has formalised its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices through its 2023 B Corp certification. Recognising the company’s high standards of environmental and social performance, transparency and accountability.
In an industry notorious for its resource intensity, Xeros provides a blueprint for innovation-driven environmental stewardship. As global apparel consumption rises, its approach, combining policy engagement, technological ingenuity and licensing strategy, could guide the industry toward a more circular, resource-conscious future.
Created by Jessica Marwood.
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