The big guns of the laundry chemicals industry were out in force at Texcare 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany last year showing off their products and technologies developed during and since Covid. Although these innovations are already being used around the globe, it was a good opportunity to catch up on exactly what they do and how they can help laundries meet CSR and sustainability requirement, reduce water and energy use deal with cool washing and still turn in quality laundering results – and also improve longevity of textiles.
According to Christelyn’s, launderers have a choice when it comes to the chemicals and solvents they use. These choices will have an impact on the wash outcome, the life of the linen, the environment as well as profit margins. All important factors for commercial laundries. Many will be familiar with the ‘Sinner’s Circle’ which illustrates the interaction of temperature, time, mechanical action and chemistry. The implication of Sinner’s model is that there is the potential to use chemistry to compensate for reducing other factors in the circle and of course, the water used in the process as well.
By washing at cooler temperatures, the wash process is much gentler on the linen, promoting longer life of the natural fibres. Christeyns developed Cool Chemistry, a total wash concept that uses a pH neutral process to wash effectively at lower temperatures.
The patented ‘Cool Chemistry’ delivers improved whiteness and increased disinfection over conventional chemistry but at temperatures from as low as 400c. The detergent chemistry operates at a neutral pH, in place of traditional highly alkaline chemicals, and is able to minimise any chemical damage to textiles thus extending the life of the linen.
Using lower temperatures reduces energy usage and saves costs. Process efficiency is increased as less time is taken heating water. The neutral pH means wastewater discharge is not as harmful on the environment.
It is surfactants that give a detergent its cleaning properties. However, these components have a negative impact on wastewater quality. Thanks to EPIC, (Enzymatic Process Innovation by Christeyns), a new detergent system from Christeyns, these surfactants are reduced by 50 percent and supplemented with biological enzymes, enabling laundries to reduce their wastewater costs by 25 percent.
Enzymes have been used in textile care for a long time and have catalytic properties, meaning the enzymes acts as an accelerator of certain chemical reactions.
Olivier Mareau, application manager and EPIC project manager, explains further: “EPIC is a flexible detergent system in which the enzyme mixtures are created and dosed according to the stain. It is not a standard all-in-one detergent. Because we target stains, only a low dose of the mixture is needed for the desired effect.”
Christeyns applied for a patent for this unique enzyme mixture at the European Patent Office in July last year.
Ecolab also believes that choice is a huge factor for launderers and was keen to use Texcare to not only show off its products and solutions but also to underline how its aim is to work in partnership with its laundry customers to achieve the best results in both washing and sustainability. It also stressed that the opartnership is not cusoptmer/supplier as no laundry is the same and each needs a solution trailered to its particular, individual needs. “Our commercial laundry products help you achieve the highest quality results for all types of linen. Work with Ecolab’s Textile Care experts to determine a formula specific to the needs of your laundry operation,” said Ecolab.
Ecolab’s washing solutions have been designed to help commercial laundries meet customer needs for hospitality, healthcare and industrial workwear, enabling laundries to achieve superior washing and disinfecting results at 40°C (even 30°C for delicate textiles), to optimise their operations while minimising resource usage and environmental impact.
The company’s emulsion detergents are certified with the EU Ecolabel, and for the hospitality segment, multi-component washing solution OXYGUARD 40 has been awarded the EU Flower Ecolabel (license Nr. DE/039/008) at 40°C.
Bob Morrish, Director of Corporate Accounts and Sales Manager UK and Ireland at Ecolab has just joined the ETSA Board (see page 8). In an interview for ETSA, he was asked how his experience at Ecolab has shaped and enriched him personally, especially as the company focuses on critical areas like water and energy efficiency in an evolving industrial landscape?
“Working at Ecolab has significantly influenced me, both personally and professionally” says Morrish. “The focus on water and energy efficiency has made me more aware of sustainability and the role businesses play in it. Being part of a company dedicated to environmental solutions has given my work purpose, deepened my understanding of resource management, and encouraged me to adopt eco-friendly practices.
“Collaborating with a diverse team has taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and respecting different viewpoints.
“Ecolab has inspired me to pursue continuous learning and improvement, driving me to contribute positively to both my workplace and the broader community.”
He continued: “Our deep commitment to sustainability, especially in water and energy management, can help the board develop environmentally responsible strategies, share best practices, and introduce innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce impact. Ecolab presented to the United Nations Water Conference about the Water Resilience Coalition and how we can support the reduction, reuse and recycling of water and the use of digital twins. We want to get water on the top of everyone’s agenda.”
White towels are an absolute must for the hospitality industry, says Kreussler, and white workwear only looks good when it really is white. However, there are challenges which the company has worked hard to overcome.
Challenge number one is due to colour transfer, the build-up of pigments and improper care which can leave whites looking grey in just a few washes. This can be prevented and even reversed, says Kreussler.
Challenge number two is when the brightener originally added to the textile degrades. Drying too hot or for too long can reduce whiteness as well as causing discoloration as the brightener is destroyed.
Challenge number three is that with the proliferation of LED lighting, especially in hotel bathrooms, towels are not looking so good. LED lighting makes whites appear grey and scruffy to the human eye.
Now Kreussler has developed Ottalin Blanc Premium that combines a selection of brighteners to make whites sparkle brightly under LED lights and in natural daylight.
According to Kreussler up to more than 270 is achieved on the first wash with the effect increasing with every further wash. Kreussler says that Ottalin Blanc Premium not only enhances the perceived and measurable whiteness of textiles, it can even surpass the original degree.
Kreussler has patented a series of a successful including the development of MieleSystemKreussler wetcleaning the Ecosan process that saves both energy and water in industrial laundry the liquid detergent system Derval Power with the technical washing powers of a powder detergent SystemK4 for textile cleaning as an environmentally-friendly alternative to perchlorethylene cleaning
