The project was developed with the co-operation of partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy and the UK.

It provides an international standard in knowledge and best practices for a variety of textile cleaning processes that comply with both European and national, legislation.

For the past two years, 15 European partners partners – including include textile research institutes, international textile and solvent organisations, national and European drycleaning associations, machine producers and a textile care training centre – have developed six modules setting out best practices. The subjects covered include legislation (European and national), perc, hydrocarbons, alternative solvents, machine technology and special aspects.

Launched initially in the national languages of the project partners – English, German, French, Italian, Greek, Czech and Dutch – the E-DryClean website will be fully operational by 1 January 2011.

Diego Zambelli of Detergo Magazine with Dirk Vanmeirhaege, president of Cinet, the International Committee of Textile Care, officially launched the site. In addition, each of the project partners were presented with Cinet’s Award of Excellence in recognition of their work.

The project is subsidised by the EU through the Leonardo da Vinci Life Long Learning Programme, which aims to support national training strategies and funds a range of transnational partnership projects.