UK
Regenex has been using its in-house textile dyeing expertise to colour 100,000 medical scrub suits for future use on the healthcare frontlines.
The white workwear, ordered for emergency use, has been dyed in shades of cobalt, raspberry and ciel (blue) to meet the requirements of the NHS trusts which will use them.
The garments have been diverted from the company’s core operations to process the medical tops and bottoms in partnership with a laundry customer.
While Regenex is best known for reviving the whites of commercial linen, it also routinely re-dyes stock such as faded tableware, continuous roller towels, and staff uniforms.
Paul Hamilton, pictured, technical director at Regenex, said: “In this climate many businesses are diversifying from their usual operations and we’re no exception.
“Our background is in textile colouration, and we are delighted to be helping our NHS heroes. These scrub suits – ordered in white when increased demand meant no other colours were available – are now in more suitable colours, denoting rank, and will be used to equip hospitals.
“These include the temporary Nightingale sites, set up to meet the need for more beds, caused by the pandemic.”
Regenex personnel have many years’ experience in the dyeing of natural and synthetic fibres and has re-dyed NHS thermal blankets as well as hospitality linen in the past.
Despite the enforced pause on hotels and leisure operations – a large part of the company’s core custom – the Regenex directors have set a new goal to process 1,000 tonnes of the UK’s dirtiest linen before its fourth birthday at the end of 2021.
The ambitious target represents a step-up in operations. So far, Regenex has successfully rescued 650 tonnes of discoloured white linen that would have been condemned to landfill or rag – and re-dyeing services have been applied to 75 tonnes of textiles.
Extending the life cycle of linen reduces the need for the manufacture of new stock, thereby conserving the world’s limited resources.
Regenex offers a free 400kg trial to new customers. Click here for more information.
