Hr Björkmans Entrémattor, a mat launderer based in Malmo, Sweden is one of winners in the EMAS 2014 awards programme, sponsored by the European Union.

EMAS, (the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) announced the results on 7 April in Hannover. The awards cover several categories, and the mat laundry was the winner in the small, private sector company section.

Hr Björkmans describes itself as "a proud green pioneer in the floor mat rental and laundry market. "The company processes mats in an innovative closed system that uses low temperature washes, special detergents and re-uses up to 98% of the water. As a result, it achieves significant water and energy savings and reduces the amount of waste-water sent to the municipal sewers.

Carl-Johan Björkman, the company’s owner/operator, said: "We are proud that a floor mat company from Malmo can be involved in leading the development at the European level. This shows that anyone can join in and do their part and we hope to inspire others."

The company is also an international member of the Textile Rental Services Association and Björkman serves on TRSA’s board of directors. Earlier this year, Hr Björkmans became the first European company to certify under TRSA’s Clean Green program for environmental sustainability.

AWARD: Carl-Johan Björkman, the owner/operator of Hr Björkmans Entrémattor mat laundry in Sweden (right) receives the EMAS award from European environment commissioner Janez Potocnik