With this device, you won't need washing detergents and softeners
Device that turns tap water for washing machines into ozone water now available here
He worked in the missile-making industry for 15 years, but his mother's death in 1998 sparked his pursuit of green technology.
Her health deteriorated over eight years, which he believes was due to the high amount of chemicals and moulds in her workplace.
Mr Allen Johnston, CEO and founder of GreenTech Environmental, said: "The doctor said she was suffering from environmental issues, which meant that her body reacted to chemical exposure and she had moulds inside her body."
He added: "A scientist and close colleague once described the cause of sick building syndrome by saying 'We as a world, in an effort to save energy, have sealed our buildings with deadly precision', and in doing so we are trapped inside where chemicals, mould and bacteria can grow rampant, and affect our health."
Mr Johnston is in town to introduce pureWash Pro, a laundry device that transforms tap water flowing into a washing machine into ozone water.
This drastically reduces detergent and fabric softener use.
The device is exclusively available at all Courts outlets from Oct 18.
It is the first time the device is being introduced outside the US.
Mr Johnston said: "I couldn't have thought of any better place to introduce it than here in Singapore because people here embrace technology, including green technology, and are concerned about their family's health and well-being."
Long before he made his splash in green technology, Mr Johnston developed missiles with US defence contractor Raytheon.
The missile he helped develop for 12 years, a Ballistic Missile Destroyer, has been deployed only once, in February 2008, to shoot a dying spy satellite before it could crash to Earth and release potentially deadly fumes of toxic gas.
Although he is proud of his work in the defence industry, Mr Johnston's mother's ailing condition and eventual death ignited his desire to venture into green technology.
He said: "During her first 40 years of teaching, she was very healthy and energetic. She could wake up before the sun rose and work hard well after the sun set.
"But six months after she moved to a new school building in Indiana, the symptoms started showing. She developed fatigue and respiratory problems."
Mr Johnston added: "Today, millions are affected by environmental issues such as chemical and biological exposure (mould, bacteria and virus), and our products help to reduce this exposure.
"I feel GreenTech Environmental can help more people than I could ever have done in the defence industry."
Mr Johnston joined EcoQuest International as the vice-president of manufacturing in 1998.
In 2009, he set up his own company, GreenTech Environmental.
It has developed different kinds of purifiers, with laundry device pureWash Pro as its latest product.
Mr Johnston said "Ozone laundry has been around over 20 years. but has always been on a commercial basis, in hospitals and hotels.
"I didn't understand why this same technology could not be used in homes so the benefits of this technology could be available to everyone."
For 10 years, he worked with a team to shrink the technology down to a device that can fit in any household and would work with any washing machine.
Mr Stan Kim, Country CEO of Courts Singapore, said that the launch of pureWash Pro was a great example of Courts' commitment to constantly improve its product offerings and provide innovative and economical solutions to customers.
"We are very excited to bring this product to Singapore," he said.
"This system not only allows Courts to deliver cost savings to families, but does so in a manner that provides a positive impact on health and the environment. "
Today, millions are affected by environmental issues such as chemical and biological exposure... and our products help to reduce this exposure.
- Mr Allen Johnston, CEO and founder of GreenTech Environmental
Get your pureWash Pro at a discount
Attachable to any washing machine, whether front or top load, pureWash Pro works by transforming water flowing to a washing machine into ozone water.
This ozone water removes up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria, moulds, and harmful skin irritants by either destroying or disrupting the cell membrane of these organisms, rendering them harmless.
It drastically reduces the need for detergents and fabric softener, and eliminates the need for hot water.
For stains, it is recommended to use a stain remover before washing, or add a quarter of the usual detergent amount.
The pureWash Pro is exclusively available at all Courts outlets from Oct 18, retailing at $499, with a $50 discount if bought together with a washing machine, for a limited time.
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