Green trends to the fore

The efficient use of resources was a clear theme at Texcare and developments that save utilities and water and bring cost benefits were much in evidence.

The Jensen stand illustrated the CleanTech steam-free laundry. Marketing director Kathrin Scheffel said that while steam-heated equipment will still be available, each CleanTech machine is directly gas-heated and heat-exchangers will also be a feature in the range.

CleanTech benefits include 60% energy savings compared with a steam operation, the elimination of boiler house or steam boiler and steam condensate piping, higher operating temperatures, shorter drying and finishing times, space savings and easier installation.

The concept introduces the steam-free tunnel washer, equipped with the gas Aquaheater to heat water for compartments that would otherwise need steam-injection. It also includes an integrated tube-in-tube heat-exchanger to reduce energy use by around 30%. Steam-free operation will be an option on all Universal, Universal SL and HighLine tunnels. CleanTech also introduces the Pro-gas tunnel finisher with individual temperature control and separately adjustable inlet, claiming energy savings of up to 25%. Other CleanTech machines include the Jenroll EXPG gas ironer, the Senking gas dryer with air control and the RecoCross heat-exchanger.

At the heart of the Kannegiesser stand was the Green Laundry, a series of energy optimised machines that included washers, dryers and finishing equipment.

Kannegiesser has extended its PowerTrans Jet tunnel washer series. The original centrifuge machine is joined by the PowerTrans Jet Press, which builds an extraction press into the body of the machine. Pre-extraction is carried out within the extraction press, leaving only the remaining adsorbed water to be removed in the rinse, which also takes place in the press. Rinsing is more efficient as the pressed linen adsorbs water quickly. The whole process – pre-extraction, rinse and final extraction – takes no longer than 2minutes. Extracted rinse water can be re-used and the Jet Press reduces water use to 3litre/kg.

Kannegiesser also featured a prototype for robotic flatwork sorting. This identifies items by length, weight, surface structure and colour, and uses these to determine classification.

The focus on resource saving was again evident on the Girbau stand. The company described its gas ironer as the most important introduction at the show, as it underlined the application of high-efficiency gas burners to heavy-duty machinery.

The achievable energy savings, compared with many competing machines, amounted to 10% of the machine cost each year.

Girbau highlighted its extended Six series with larger models and the use of universal style controls to make upgrades and new models easier to operate and service.

For CEOs Merce Girbau and Pere Girbau Junior, this show was particularly important as it was their first since becoming general managers. Pere Girbau said the company was developing a solution-focussed strategy that concentrates on the customer. Merce Girbau said that the move to gas was important, not only because of energy savings but also because it allowed customers to minimise the use of steam boilers.

Rick Kelly, vice president of Pellerin Milnor, and Uli Eckert of Milnor International had two messages for visitors. New Orleans-based Milnor is keen to show that it has survived the disaster of Katrina, and has systems in place to survive similar happenings without a blip.

Back-up spares are warehoused in Dallas, Texas, and it has programs to ensure continuation of external and internal communication.

Eckert feels this preparedness has wider implications. All companies need to be prepared for potential disasters such as fires or floods.

Eckert said Europe is environment-driven and Milnor minimises energy wastage. For example, dryers are designed to deliver the highest temperatures at the beginning of the process. As a tunnel manufacturer, the company provides the right hardware and software to allow chemicals to do their job and it is developing water-saving technology.

Barrier washers are a specialist area for Danube International. This year it is introducing 100kg Pullman barrier washers with a horizontal partition between soil and clean sides rather than a vertical one. Bernard Jomard said this makes loading and unloading easier. He added that the company continues to grow, entering the UK market this year, and he expects 2008/2009 to be a strong year.

Turkish manufacturer Tolkar has been established in the laundry sector for 32years. This year the Smartex brand came under the Tolkar banner.The two brands remain separate, with Smartex focusing on the higher priced sector and patented technology.

The Poly-Rib washer-extractor drum improves dirt removal by using multiple small beaters rather than four large ones.

This structure avoids the occasional problem of large sheets tearing during high-speed extraction. The Eco drum uses the Poly-Rib construction but also saves up to 35% water by retaining all the non-essential water from the outer drum in the gap between inner and outer drums. When needed, the circulation system can be switched off, transferring excess water back into the gap.

Stahl has introduced washer-extractors with the integrated SelfMix-Wash system developed by Belgian company Poly Production. This uses precisely dosed basic ingredients to mix individual formulae for different loads and processes. Formulae are saved using Stahl’s intelligent Freepro control.

In addition to talking about its expansion into the Czech Republic Christeyns, the chemicals and resource systems company, was also explaining its steam-free laundry concept. The company said that systems to reduce steam use are already available, but allowing tunnel washers to operate without steam is a step forward. The closed system uses fresh water, heated by a gas burner, which goes into a heat-exchanger.

Deposits from dirty water are avoided by taking water from the middle of the main wash.

Steam-free systems also allow laundries to avoid the complicated regulations governing boiler use and also the worries of boiler maintenance.

Ecolab underlined its role as a systems company that is “setting sustainable standards” with water and energy management systems. Texcare was the official launch for PerFormance, the modular system for maximising water and energy savings. PerFormance Basis, introduces an innovative energy and water-saving wash system. PerFormance Plus builds on this and takes account of the whole laundry process from wash to finish and also of the boiler house. PeFormance Ultimate allows laundries to be built without a boiler house creating a steam-free operation. Christian Roth says that this is up to 30% more efficient than the traditional laundry.

In its data management systems, Ecolab’s HELMS system now tracks chemicals use as well as water and energy.

CHT has supplied chemicals to a worldwide market in diverse sectors for 50 years. It supplies a wide range of products from detergents to specialised finishes and also provides a dosing system to keep the chemicals used to the minimum for each fabric type.

The environmental influence was not the only trend at Texcare.

Ross Weir of the British feeder and folder manufacturer HJ Weir explained that customers were looking for equipment that was simple to use, but increased efficiency. The WISE (Weir Intelligent Electronics) control system collects and provides easy access to a lot of information that had not been available previously.

It can record a machine’s start time and events during the working day. It will also record how quickly any interruptions are rectified. Weir engineers can communicate with a machine, regardless of location, via the internet and deal instantly with problems, so reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Ross Weir said the company already has a considerable export business in Europe but sees the show as important in raising the company’s international profile and demonstrating its ability to provide simple solutions on a global scale.

In addition to announcing its arrangement to market Totofolder feeders and folders (see news), Lapauw introduced its range of 100kg open-pocket washer-extractors. The design has been simplified to meet market demand for competitively priced machines whilst still maintaining quality. Ironers have been upgraded. Gas models use a modulated burner and heat from burnt gases pre-heats the thermal oil, so improving efficiency.

Sister company Laco serves the requirements of the smaller laundry and OPLs. It was introducing a 300mm roll diameter ironer, and it now has a complete range of chest- heated ironers, from 300 – 800mm diameter with 1.8m working width.

USA-based flatwork finishing specialist Chicago Dryer demonstrated its King Edge Vac Dual Input Cornerless Spreader/Feeder. This has a cornerless “two target” loading system, auto-lift operation and built-in small piece bypass conveyor. It can handle applications that have high volumes of large sheets but also process small pieces at intervals during the working day.

Vega Systems specialises in feeders and folders for the hotel/restaurant sector. It was introducing an air-fold towel folder, and a range of high quality feeders.

It also showed reverse folders which give a more accurate fold, said service director Mo Bufus.

Ironer clothing, though less visible, is important to the machine’s performance. The Fanafel stand was constantly busy. The shortage of meta aramid caused by high demand for the material from the USA military, prompted Fanafel to look for alternatives, and Denis Begasse was introducing the results of its research, clothing from the polyphenylene sulfide fibre, which is comparable both in characteristics and price.

Spring padding specialist Springpress was concentrating on its padding and its Autolube system for waxing the ironer. The system has started to sell well. It is much quicker than manual waxing, taking around 30seconds.

At the Japanese manufacturer San-Ai, Futoshi Motada said the company was looking for overseas distributors and to raise its profile in the European market. The main products shown were the Maxpress springing, which combines the benefits of both coil and laminate springs and its Tapematic ultrasonic ironer tape welder. A further development of this concept is underway.

Elastopress, the German-based manufacturer and supplier, provides ironer padding and a full range of consumables such as feed belts, tapes, and waxes and cloths, as well as accessories for feeders and folders, and washers and dryers.

Its products are now used in over 40 countries around the world.

ELP is the European arm of the international Andrews Industries group. Stephane Keck said his company was part of a group that produced and developed all aspects of technical textiles and felts for the laundry industry. ELP’s aim is to expand its distributor network, particularly in eastern Europe.

Accurate identification and tracking of linen throughout laundry production is essential. Datamars, the Swiss specialist in RFID (radio frequency identification) solutions said that demand in laundry and textile rental sectors is growing. It is introducing a mid-range reader and the latest LaundryChip development, the personal chip. Claimed to be the smallest and thinnest on the market, this chip, targeted at the care home sector, can be used for blouses, skirts, and even underwear. The Datamars stand also demonstrated RFID in action at a six station line representing all laundry stages.

The company has linked up with logistics and automation company ABS to provide hardware and software RFID packages (see news).

Tagsys extended its RFID portfolio with a button tag for personal garments and it has also introduced WiFi RFID hand-held inventory reader for logging multiple items.

Macpi was focusing on three garment finishing machines, space-saving designs aimed at institutional and commercial laundries and drycleaning central processing units. The 507 carousel is mainly for theatre wear and workwear. It has shaped bucks and allows one back and two fronts to be finished at the same time. The 295 flat presses a range of garments and is fed by conveyor and has three pressing stations. The 533 steam tunnel is automatically fed from a screw conveyor. It can process garments from wet-to-dry or dry-to-dry at around 1,000/hour.

Biko produces a number of machines for the finishing line, including a hanger transport system and a towel finisher.

The Maria range now includes the Maria Overall for garments, and most recently, the Maria Robot. This fully automatic garment system was launched in 2006. A system is already installed in Belgium and other projects are underway.

Olmatic president Jan Oerlemans said the company’s dispensing systems and management software is designed to distribute clothing and equipment in healthcare and industrial applications. Garments are supplied folded rather than hung, so the cabinets are compact. The system can be used as a stand-alone or as an adjunct to a central system, while dispensers and receivers can function on their own or as part of a network.

The talking point at Dunnewolt Conveyor was the development of a sorting system that sorts and transports linen and “blows” it into an overhead bag system without the need to lower the bag. This was still being tested but should be launched in around six months.

Linen can be sorted in any convenient area, even a remote building. The “blown” method is energy-efficient, using 90% less energy than vacuum systems, said Arvid Dunnewolt.

Electrolux Professional claims its FFS ironer is the only “plug and play” ironer on the market. Wolf Markus- Frank, vice president Europe, Africa and the Middle East says it is simpler, more efficient distributing heat evenly, and has the Diamms auto speed adjustment system. The company also showed its Generation 4000 laundry range.

Imesa displayed an improved version of its GSM communication system, available on all washers from 14kg upwards. The machines have a Sim card with customer name, machine serial number and location. If a problem arises, the machine sends a message to one or more phone numbers and to Imesa’s central server. The fault can then be diagnosed via the modem and service provided within 24 hours. The improved GSM has allowed Imesa to increase its guarantee to two years.

SoLaundry software allows hotel customers considering an on-site laundry to key in data about the type of operation needed. Imesa can then create a virtual laundry design, calculate its building and running costs and compare these with the cost of out-sourcing.

The theme of the Ipso brand display was “Clean the world.” Europe is too diverse to detail trends, says Jean-Marc Vandoorne, general manager Alliance International but there is more awareness of running costs and demand for lower water and electrical consumption. The company has calculated that resource-saving features in its WF rigid mount fast spin washers have reduced payback time to two years. Exhibits included its 400litre washer-extractor from this range. The CD dryers, which are high efficiency and low noise were being extended. It also launched its full range of Cygnus modular controls, built round one motherboard design that can be adapted.

Parent company Alliance Laundry Systems divided its stand into OPL and coin-op machines with representative models across both ranges. Lee Wilson, the group’s vice president, international sales, believed there are good opportunities in both markets – for example, Eastern Europe does not yet have a defined coin-op sector. Texcare allowed Alliance to get closer to markets by spending time with users and distributors.

Reducing raw materials, energy and water use is high priority in laundry development, said Jürgen Schäfer head of product management at Miele Professional. The company’s latest flatwork ironers have increased throughput by up to 32%, saving both time and energy. The aluminium trough helps to reach required temperature much faster and ensure even heat distribution.

Washer-extractors of 10kg and above are available with water recovery modules. Tumble dryers of 10kg and above feature a patented air recycling systems plus airflow and controls that redirect expelled air back through the system.

GMP, well-known for its ironer expertise underwent a reorganisation last year which involved transferring part of its production to new premises, making it more cost effective.

The company has concentrated on developing its G-line drying ironers and launched the first of a series of 500mm diameter models. This first machine has a 2.1m length. The range is available in electric and gas versions but steam heating will be an option.

The drying ironers are an ideal match for high spin washers and this is what the market wants, said GMP.

Care and residential homes OPLs need to reduce infection risks. Schulthess, in collaboration with Büfa, has developed disinfection programs to meet these concerns.

The disinfection program includes a 40C pre-wash and a 60C main wash, and there are also two single-bath programs for infectious laundry at 60C and at 95C.

Programs have been tested by WFK and follow RKI guidelines, and are offered on all machines.

The company introduced a 7kg dryer said to be the fastest at this capacity as it will dry a load of cottons within 48minutes.

Eduard Colomer, export manager for Spanish manufacturer Domus said that the company places great importance on meeting dealers and expansion, in particular on completing the European network and raising the Asian profile. The stand featured several tumble dryers, the S11 with PSM programmable microprocessor, S26 EDu with frequency controller and direct drive and S45 with wider door. It also showed a range of high-spin smaller washers, from 10 – 18kg and the more recent 40kg machine.

The mat sector provides textile rental companies with opportunities for offering a profitable service.

At Milliken, sales and marketing director Mike Thomas saw two lines as being particularly important. Megahold is a suction cup backing that holds mats firmly in place without the need for tapes, but also allows mats to be easily moved for cleaning or replacement.

Logo and pattern mats are the way forward. Millitex sculptured mats provide a depth of pattern while giving excellent cleaning and scraping qualities. The M2 combines the sculpted effects with Millitron dyeing to add shading.

Milliken’s napery division was introducing HD (high definition) Damask linens into Europe.

The company’s SofTouch process gives this fabric all the benefits of cotton in a 100% polyester while the HD feature gives a clearer pattern that is retained for longer as is colour fastness.

Mountville Mills, the USA mat company now has a European operation. Based in Belgium, it will supply this market directly. The company’s website gives customers real time information, said Kirk Boster. Orders can be tracked online and logo mats can be delivered in five business days.

Kirk Boster said that mats are one of the most profitable lines that a laundry can offer and companies that make a commitment can do tremendous business.

Although the emphasis at Texcare is on new machines, the thriving market for rebuilt and reconditioned machinery was also well represented.

At De Vleiger, Erwin Vanspauwen said that the company’s aim is not only to buy and sell machines but to add value. The stand had examples from the 1970s that have been enhanced with new control systems. De Vleiger is expanding by setting up local operations. In August it will be opening its own operation in Spain. This is located in Ciudad Real and will be run by Pieter Van Obbergen.

Ecotex says that as far as Europe is concerned, the main market for rebuilt equipment is in Southern Europe. Big laundry groups were looking for reconditioned folders and for small washers.

The hospital sector was also interested but perhaps had less money to spend. Nursing homes needed small washers and dryers and also sorting equipment.

Goudkil also sees the rebuilt market as strong and expanding. The company is attracting custom not just in Europe but beyond and has customers in China. Most of the business is in hotels.