A winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise has said it will allow his company to reach a “whole new audience” with its environmentally friendly products.

Rob Knight founded Maidstone-based Ecoegg in 2008, manufacturing eco-friendly cleaning and household goods.

Today, he exports to about 35 countries and has a turnover of £3.5 million, which was recognised with an honour from the Queen as part of her 90th birthday celebrations.

Mr Knight, who won Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2014 KEiBAs, started his business after seeing his then girlfriend struggle to find a washing detergent that was kind to her very sensitive skin.

He developed the laundry egg, which has sold more than a million units worldwide, which eliminates the need for chemical-based washing detergent, by using eco-friendly, hypoallergenic cleaning pellets.

It claims to provide savings of up to 91% a year for the average household.

Mr Knight said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded a Queen’s Award in such a competitive category.

"We’ve worked so hard as a company to develop products that make a real, positive impact to the lives of people that use them, as well as to the environment.

“Innovation drives everything we do at Ecoegg and the laundry egg, along with our 18 other eco-friendly products, have each revolutionised the categories in which they compete.

“Providing a cost effective and natural alternative to products that have remained the same for decades, and changing the way we think about everyday tasks such as cleaning, is something we’re very proud of.

“In the current economic climate and given the number of brands moving into the eco-friendly product market, this recognition will allow us to take the next step in reaching a whole new audience with our products.”

Ecoegg was not the only Kent winner of a Queen’s Award.

AXA PPP International, based in Tunbridge Wells, won a Queen’s Award for International Trade for its international strategy to penetrate global markets in which it is licensed to sell private health insurance.

It is launching in emerging markets – including Morocco, Nigeria, Hong Kong and Singapore – either directly or through strategic partnerships. It will be launching in Bulgaria later this year.

Polypipe Limited, which has a site in New Hythe Business Park, Aylesford, also picked up a Queen’s Award for International Trade for its growth in overseas sales over three years.

Founded in 1980, the plastic pipe, drainage and plumbing manufacturer floated on to the London Stock Exchange in 2014 and has now entered the FTSE 250. Its main export markets are in the Middle East and European markets.

Winners of the Queen’s Awards 2016 will be invited to attend a special reception at Buckingham Palace in July.