Innovation that can deliver increased performance

Drycleaning was back in the news as Texcare International opened its doors to visitors on day one of the five-day industry showcase in Frankfurt.

The French Ministries of Ecology and Labour had announced an immediate ban on the use of perc in new drycleaning/laundry businesses.

In February, this year the French NGO Environment Health Network (RES), along with other environmental and health lobby groups, had called for the government to follow the USA and Denmark and ban the use of perc in new drycleaners.

Meanwhile, France is phasing out perc across the industry, with a total ban effective from 1 January 2022.

So there was perhaps even greater interest in alternative cleaning systems among Texcare visitors.

The Pro-Fit product range from Christeyns includes both the Pro-Fit Rynex-3E solvent and a specially developed range of complementary additives.

Last year Rynex Technologies and Christeyns announced that they had formed a joint venture for the marketing, distribution, sales and support for the Rynex-3E drycleaning solvent and the Christeyns’ Gentle Care Detergents range in the European market. Products include a pre-brushing agent, specialist spotting agents, a water repellent, an anti-mite treatment and an additive to enhance the finish of textiles cleaned in Rynex-3E.

The Pro-Fit-Rynex range expands Christeyns' extensive textile care range of soaps, detergents, bleaches and additives, according to Steven Van de Walle, business development director for Gentle Care detergents. He said that as a company, Christeyns wants to take responsibility for the environment we live in. The Gentle Care detergents are now being rolled out in several European countries and represent an “exclusive” approach to both drycleaning and wetcleaning delicate fabrics. Acknowledging the recent anti-perc regulations in France, Van de Walle said that Pro-fit Rynex 3E offered cleaning results comparable to or better than perc but is 100% bio-degradable and non toxic.

On the laundry side, the company reported a great interest in its Low Impact Washing concept, its updated Laundry X-pert software and the Process Guard system.

Process Guard is a batch follow-up and sampling system that measures, registers and confirms the quality of the wash process and can be used in both tunnel washers and washer-extractors.

Using a detection unit and a PC for data logging and monitoring, the system gives each batch of linen a unique identification code. It then follows the batch through the different steps in the wash process, taking samples of the process water in the pre-wash, main wash and rinse stages according to a pre-programmed sampling schedule.

SystemK4 from Kreussler of Germany was appearing at its sixth industry exhibition, having already been to Milan, Paris, Moscow, Beijing and Las Vegas since its launch in 2010. There are now more than 250 K4 installations worldwide. The system consists of solvent SolvonK4, the booster ClipK4, brushing agent PrenettK4 and water and stain repellent agent VinoyK4.

Kreussler’s Christoph Richter said that K4 continued to generate very positive feedback. The company had introduced K4 to Germany over a year ago. There had been 26 installations since and more were planned in the near future. He said that reports such as the recent Solvetex helped to reinforce the message that modern professional textile care was environmentally sustainable and addresses a wide audience.

Richter said that the company also had several innovations in its laundry range. Temperature management and water saving are becoming increasingly important and Kreussler has introduced the third generation of its Ecosan system – a safe, ecologically and economically viable wash process for automated wash systems. At th centre of the Ecosan 3.0 system is the Aquaheat–Purifier, which combines filter, heat-exchanger and adsorber and treats water that is strongly oxygenated and polluted with fluff and suspended solids. This allows water from the main wash and the rinse-water overflow to be used in the pre-wash.

Ecosan 3 also includes a Lint-purifier, that enables recycling of rinse water and waste-water.

Seitz is the master licensor for GreenEarth Cleaning in Germany. The company introduced Energized GreenEarth, a development of the cleaning process. Heating the silicon solvent is said to improve the system’s cleaning performance without having any adverse effect on the textiles.

Research showed that the results were almost equal to those produced by perc. Improvements started when the solvent reached 30C but were even better at 45C. Energized GreenEarth is energy-efficient as drying and charging times are shorter. Once the temperature has been raised, it can be maintained by using the drying heat.

Büfa manufactures chemicals for cleaning garments, textiles and leather, as well as for laundry hygiene. In the drycleaning sector, the most recent addition is Secapur Mega Plus. The third generation of this detergent combination for use in perc now features an improved buffer system for stabilising the solvent in the machine.

Part of Büfa’s ModulDOS-System, its ModulDOS Produkt 3 is a finishing agent for use with perc and hydrocarbon solvents. It gives the cleaned fabrics a voluminous, firm handle, improves the ironing properties of treated fabrics and has a reliable anti-static effect.

Talking about the laundry range Jürgen Wasshausen, Büfa sales and technical support, said the company had introduced Ozerna Tiger, a concentrated detergent that provides excellent wash results and brilliant whiteness, even at a very low dosage. The laundry booster Lizerna Synergy maximises energy savings while removing the most stubborn stains.

For wetcleaning Büfa highlighted its CareConcept, and explained that laundry operators can use wetcleaning to win new customers.

Firbimatic was introducing a range of 15 – 80kg machines specifically designed for use with SolvonK4. The EcoGreen K Series features several innovations such as environmentally-safe refrigerants, an advanced refrigeration system, drum isolation system and a “smart” air flow. Parent company, the FMB Group is the master licensor for GreenEarth Cleaning in Italy. FMB has exclusive rights to license and distribute GreenEarth throughout Italy.

Union manufactures drycleaning equipment for use with perc and all Class III-A solvents (hydrocarbon, GreenEarth and other alternative solvents). Its most recent addition is the K?Series for use with Solvon K4.

Investment and innovation were key themes on the Renzacci stand. General sales manager Marco Niccolini says that the company spends 7% of its turnover on research and development and this strong investment has produced innovations of interest to both drycleaning and laundry sectors.

In the drycleaning division, the main focus was on the company’s Excellence Premium series. The models range from 11 – 90kg and are available with or without a still. They also feature Renzacci’s Nature Care System, which reduces water and energy consumption.

There are advanced versions using hydrocarbon-based solvents as well as machines developed specifically for use with System K4, Rynex 3E and GreenEarth.

Renzacci’s Nebula is said to be the first drycleaning machine to use the Combiclean system, which allows operators to combine different cleaning techniques. Nebula also features Renzacci’s DSF (Dynamic Saving Flow) system, which reduces power consumption by over 45% and increases energy savings by 40%, without adverse effects on the operating cycle or productivity.

In the laundry sector, Renzacci highlighted its HS series of high-spin washer-extractors which has seven models ranging from 9 – 55kg capacities.

The HS Ecocare 22 and 35 high-spin washers incorporate water recovery systems. Renzacci has also equipped these machines with features that significantly increase performance and drastically reduce operating costs. They produce water savings of up to 40% and reduce energy use by up to 15%.

Also on show was Renzacci’s RZ range of closed-circuit tumble dryers with built-in air flow recovery systems.

The German distributor Multimatic represents Ilsa, Barbanti and Metalprogetti and Girbau in this market and the companies showed a comprehensive line of equipment for the entire textile cleaning industry.

One of the highlights of Multimatic’s display was the Ipura line developed by Ilsa for cleaning with aliphatic hydrocarbons. Since its launch in 2008, more than 1,000 Ipura machines have been sold worldwide.

For 2012, Ilsa presented the Ipura 2.0 machine. Sales manager Marco Boccola described this as an evolution of the Ipura concept. He added that it was Ilsa’s response to requests for more options and a faster return on investment.

The Ipura 2.0 strengthens the key elements of Ipura. These include the Jet Clean technique, which allows for gentle treatment of garments and easier garment finishing, eliminates solvent odours and ensures low solvent consumption, and the Air Power loading door. The system has been designed without a distillation unit to reduce consumption and make maintenance easier. Ipura also features steam-free operation.

Marco Mallegni, Ilsa general manager, said that the company had a strong market presence and Ipura had attracted tremendous interest. He believed that alternatives to perc cleaning would gain impetus in Europe following France’s decision to ban perc.

Multimatic offers specialised machines for GreenEarth, SolvonK4 and Rynex 3E. The company claims its solution for SolvonK4 produces the best cleaning results and eliminates solvent odours.

Multimatic also unveiled the Multiflex machine, which can operate with any alternative solvent. Multiflex hardware is designed for all alternative solvents, while the software is adapted to the parameters of the selected solvent. The company also presented its MultiSorglos package, which offers a five-year warranty and scheduled technical inspections at a fixed price.

At Italclean, export area manager El Khaliqi Jalal said the show had been busy and that although it was focussed on the German market, there was a good mix of visitors. The company displayed its latest range of hydrocarbon/silicon drycleaning machines, which are offered with or without distillation. The Italian-based company also showed its AV high-spin washer-extractors (from 9 – 60kg capacity) and closed-circuit SQ dryers.

On the Maestrelli stand, export manager Andrea Marchesi said that its Energy series of perc machines is fully compliant with current European regulations. The advanced design of the recovery and distillation system allows drycleaners to keep solvent consumption to a minimum.

With its Dreamclean HS series, Maestrelli has developed a range of machines that work with hydrocarbon and silicone solvents.?The machines have a low environmental impact, a wide choice of program options and competitive cycle times.

The CometLine drycleaning machine from Böwe in Germany is the first to be developed by the company under the Ziermann ownership. Managing director Frank Ziermann said that CometLine is manufactured from stainless steel and features top quality components from suppliers such as Toshiba and Siemens.

CometLine is available in both perc and multisolvent versions with distillation unit. The machines are available in 16 and 19kg sizes and offer a choice of steam or electrically heated versions.

The company has also developed modification kits for its PremiumLine range, including steam and electrically heated versions. With the correct parts kit, a Böwe perc machine can be converted to a Böwe multisolvent machine. After the conversion the machine can be used with solvents such as hydrocarbon, GreenEarth, Rynex3E and K4.

The PremiumLine machines also benefits from a solvent sensor that ensures that the machine only uses as much solvent as is actually needed for each load, so reducing energy consumption. Ziermann also spoke about the company’s work in developing a decontamination system that completely removes perc solvent from drycleaning machines, in strict accordance with German regulations.?

On the Pony stand, export manager Massimo Sanvito reported good business. The Italian manufacturer featured its latest steam iron and also trouser toppers with a built-in boiler. In addition the company showed the Angel single-buck shirt press and Pantamaster double leg press for trouser finishing. As well as its drycleaning presses, Pony exhibited its laundry presses, including the LAV/R rectangular laundry press, which is suitable for table linen, lab coats and blouses.

For the wetcleaning market, Pony exhibited the tensioning former Formplus-S with automatic adjustable height and width, an evolution of the earlier Formplus model. The Cosmos rotary finishing cabinet can be used for trousers and jackets in combination with an ironing table for touch-up.

Trevil, another Italian manufacturer of finishing equipment, reported a busy show. Marketing manager Corinna Mapelli said that Texcare was ideal for presenting developments and for meeting customers and distributors.

She said that equipment trends varied from market to market – the USA is recovering and Trevil is holding its position in Asia.

However, financial uncertainty is having a strong impact. “We are seeing a definite trend towards automatic ironing systems,” said Mapelli. As an example, Trevil’s Pantastar performs the functions of both trouser topper and press but occupies less space and needs only one operator.

Making its debut at Frankfurt, Presto is a hot-plate shirt finisher designed to handle up to 60 pieces/hour. It features height-adjustable tensioning arms and an easy-to-use electronic control panel.

The latest version of the Trevistar shirt finisher allows both improved quality and shorter cycles. It produces a well-finished shirt in 50seconds or less. Also new was Trevil’s Geyser steam generator.

Energy-efficient systems for finishing shirts were on view at the Veit stand. Sales director Jürgen Pfattheicher said that there were several innovations on show including a shirt finisher with a heat recovery system and an “intelligent” process-shortening function. Veit’s 8319E shirt finisher is suitable for small to medium-sized laundries and textile care plants. Shirts, blouses, smocks or chefs‘ coats can be finished quickly without creases by the high-performance hot-air fan. Garments such as jackets and coats can also be finished on the machine.

The two latest models in Veit’s 8363 Multiform series were especially developed for use on wetcleaned garments. They can be used for coats and other outer garments with lengths from 620 – 1,420mm (or 820 – 1,620mm with the adapter). Both versions are also available with integrated steam generators.

Barbanti Carlo emphasised the energy efficiency of its finishing equipment. The 489 finisher for coats and shirts features the integrated heat recovery system that is already used on its established shirt finisher and on the universal finisher.

Another development, the 880 double-buck form finisher is aimed at high productivity and reduced energy consumption. Barbanti also presented an electric boiler that does not need a feeder tank and an automatic poly-bagger with automatic loading and unloading.

Malavasi of Italy produces industrial and professional garment presses. Andrea Fraune, sales manager for Germany and East Europe said that the company has introduced a press that is specially designed for curtains with a lower plate that measures 600 x 280mm and a shirt finisher with features designed to produce a good finish on the shoulders.

Metalprogetti offers several types of conveyors, sorting systems, automatic drop-off and pick-up devices. At Texcare it was introducing a vertical conveyor with direct upward movement to provide maximum capacity in restricted spaces.

The company’s One-Touch Assembly system for the drycleaning industry combines sorting, bagging and dispatching functions and needs only one operator. Also featured was the B2K uniform system for hanging garments. This uses a single dispatch conveyor and can send garments simultaneously to four Multigate counters. The B2K folder performs the same functions for folded garments. All systems were shown in full operation.

FB Italy continues to develop and enter more market sectors. The company’s vacuum packing machines were originally designed for laundries and are now widely used by textile industries in general and by hotels and other businesses that need to store a substantial quantity of bulky items.

For Texcare International, FB Italy presented its vacuum packing machines. These use an electro pneumatic system to suck out the air, to protect the packed textiles from dust mites. The machines preserve textiles in a freshly laundered condition. The company can provide coin-op versions for use in launderettes.

Alux is a Polish manufacturer of finishing equipment for drycleaners and the textile industry. Marketing director Szymon Wieckowski said the company is looking for distributors in the EU.

Visitors to the stand were able to see its WA-9 ironing and steaming table. This is a multi-purpose ironing table with the functions of vacuum, blowing and steaming.

Also on show were the Alux vertical and horizontal bagging machines for garments. Vertical bagging machines are used to pack pieces that require hanging such as jackets and the horizontal machines are designed to pack folded pieces.