Texcare International, the leading international trade fair, which takes place from 11-15 June in Frankfurt, will place a special focus on efficiency of resources and sustainability.

The latest developments in mechanical engineering and detergent chemistry will further encourage the proper use of resources, organisers reports. An influential role is also expected to be played by the industry associations, which will be bringing the subject of ecological sustainability to the accompanying Texcare Conference.

Protection of resources

The textile-care sector and its supplier industry are pursuing a philosophy of sustainability and protection of resources. Textiles and clothing, plant and machinery, care processes and detergents are designed to help minimise the ecological footprint, reduce the use of resources, and improve social conditions in general, from the fibre to the laundry.

“A successful concept of sustainability includes the optimum interplay of sustainability principles and collaboration by players who are pursuing the same goal,” explained Robert Long, Secretary General of the Textile Services Association (ETSA), based in Brussels.

“Products and processes should have a minimum impact on the environment and still be efficient. At the same time, they must enjoy a high level of functionality, which guarantees a business’s success. This, in turn ensures jobs under good social conditions.”

Networking

A major step in implementing comprehensive sustainability is an effective network, organisers report. It bundles the industry’s requirements, encourages the exchange of ideas between all partners involved, and multiplies pioneering results, to the benefit of all.

“We see Texcare International as a major institution for this knowledge transfer. It showcases the latest developments in sustainability and efficiency of resources. The Texcare Conference is a major forum, too,” said Long.

“Featuring environmental efficiency as a central topic, the conference aims to show numerous examples of best practice and establish sustainability more firmly in the industry.”

Sustainability platform

When it comes to environmentally friendly and resource-efficient processes, plant and machinery play a vital role in textile care. Modern technologies can help reduce consumption and material residue of energy, water and heat in a laundry or dry cleaner’s.

“If you are to have sustainability, however, the commitment shown by machinery manufacturers must go beyond the development of economical process technologies,” commented Günter Veit, chairman of VDMA Garment and Leather Technology. “It includes a resource-efficient production process, which in turn is part of a responsible environmental strategy.”

Through its Blue Competence initiative, the VDMA has created a seal of approval for mechanical engineers who are jointly lobbying for sustainability. Visitors to the fair will recognise the partners in the initiative from their Blue Competence trademark.

Fit for the future

Along with a large number of new developments in machinery for a resource-sparing, commercial treatment of laundry, Texcare International will be showing further aspects of a responsible type of textile care.

These include textiles for buildings and clothing collections, which have been produced under ecological and ethically sound conditions; detergents, equipment materials and cleaning products with a high efficiency factor and low environmental impact; logistics processes and intelligent networks for a transparent materials flow; and pioneering research results.

www.texcare.com