UK
Regenex, the specialist commercial linen cleaning service in Bradford, is celebrating a string of business wins, following successful free trials. The Buttershaw-based company is pioneering new methods in stain removal that are proving successful in around 75% of the most heavily-marked hospitality and healthcare linens.
The company’s customer base so far spans the whole of the UK and beyond, including one near-neighbour, just three miles away.
Saif Linen, in East Bowling, has benefited from a 70% return rate on the dirty laundry sent to Regenex so far. Of the 900kg processed, a total of 631kg was successfully treated to meet hotel-grade standards of cleanliness.
Regenex is now working with Saif to rescue as much as possible of the remaining 30% of items, by re-dyeing to turn them into coloured pieces.
“We want everything we do here to be as environmentally friendly as possible,” said Ali Mohammed Arosh, owner of Saif Linen. “Working with Regenex is helping us to make the most of every item, meaning nothing is wasted.
“Of the stained pieces we thought were only good for the bin, 70% have been brought back to life by Regenex. This is very impressive.”
Saif Linen, which serves the hospitality industry, has already installed ozone wash technology to reduce the carbon footprint of its processing – and is making a conscious effort to minimise the use of plastic film, by packing clean linen directly into fabric bags.
Partnering with Regenex, to get the longest possible life out of every item of stock – and therefore avoiding needless manufacture of new items, and the use of the world’s resources that entails – is the natural next step in this process.
Regenex’s multi-bath treatment is based on opening fibres to lift blemishes. Technical director, Paul Hamilton, said: “Unless an item is torn or frayed, there is no need to throw away stained linen. In the vast majority of cases, we can remove those marks. This is huge in terms of conserving resources, and minimising waste.
“Customers don’t believe our system can work until they see it for themselves. That’s why we have been offering free 400kg trials to all new customers. They are invariably amazed by the results.”
The concept for the 25,000sqft operation was formed in early 2017 by founders David Midgley (main picture, right), Mathew Whitehead and Paul Hamilton (pictured on the left) – as a response to the mounting ‘green’ issue of textile waste and unnecessary manufacture. The project was backed by half a million pounds of investment, allowing processes to be developed and independently tested, before being brought to market.
Regenex has now processed 400 tonnes of linen since going from development to commercial production. This represents a total saving of 1,200 tonnes of carbon* and 30 million litres of water** – equivalent to the drinking water of 3,000 people, over 10 years.
Paul continued: “Saif prioritises its environmental policies, and takes the need to minimise the use of resources very seriously. We are proud to be able to help Ali and his team achieve their green vision.”
Regenex continues to offer a free 400kg trial to new customers. Go to www.regenex.co.uk or more information.
* Calculation based on 300 tonnes of linen typically halfway through its natural life cycle returned to stock compared with carbon footprint of 8kg associated with the manufacture and life cycle of 1kg of new linen. Saving is 4kg carbon per 1kg cotton.** Calculation based on the 10,000 litres of water required to manufacture 1kg of new cotton.
