Xeros, a U.K. based material science company collaborated with Yilmak, a garment finishing manufacturer, to incorporate XFN finishing innovation into a machine that washes and finishes textiles, like denim. This technology uses less water and energy than the conventional methods while also providing the garments with greater tear strength and a soft hand-feel. The cycle time needed per garment load is also reduced in this process.

Yilmak is a Turkey-based firm, which creates dyeing, ozone, washing and drying equipment for textile producers. The XFN technology by Xeros will be included across a range of the group’s machines. KRM Tekstil Boya San, a garment-dyeing and washing specialty firm in Turkey, will be responsible for distributing Xeros-enabled technologies globally.

Here, patented polymer spheres are utilized along with dubbed XOrbs, that bounce against fabrics in a closed-loop system called an XDrum. The pumice stones are replaced in the finishing process by XOrbs, which cover a few cycles before turning into sludge.

Neil Austin, CEO of Xeros, said, “The apparel industry is under increasing pressure from both consumers and legislators to reduce its impact on the planet." The company, earlier this year, introduced a filter for microplastics that could help in upcycling tiny polymer fibers and chips. The testing has shown that it saves 50% of the water typically involved in finishing. “We are very pleased to have signed this contract with likeminded partner YILMAK which enables us to bring our technologies to the global market," said the CEO.

The collaboration “will bring about a new era in the sustainable denim garment washing industry," said Yilmak general manager of sales and marketing M. Furkan Civelek. The first YILMAK machine enabled by Xeros will be an Ecogreen EGW-500, 5000-liter finishing machine. ITMA sustainable textile innovation trade show in Milan will be the place where this technology will make its debut this month.