SPOTLIGHT ON FRANCE
eco-labeled products, and high-performance water and energy dosing systems and equipment.He added that in response to rising energy costs and increasingly scarce water resources - particularly in regions facing water stress - French laundries are intensifying their efforts to address both economic and ecological challenges. At the same time, a major concern for the sector remains the ongoing and strategic pursuit of water consumption savings. That encouraged the company to apply its ‘REUSE’ stratagem –which is how to reuse water at every possible stage of the washing process, with the aim of optimising its life cycle and to introduce a number of Christeyns’ innovative solutions in this field. Regourd explains: “The decree published in France in March 2025 authorising the reuse of wastewater in laundries marks a turning point for the sector. Christeyns plans to launch its ‘HydRO for laundries’ system on the French market in the coming months. HydRO is a compact water purification system developed by Christeyns and Veride to treat wastewater and reuse it in the production processes (up to 80% reduction in fresh water usage). To date, nearly 20 installations are operational across Europe delivering outstanding results.” The French market has always been interesting to another laundry chemicals solutions provider, Ecolab. As Marie-Laure Pionnier, spokeswoman of the TCD west & hospitality segment Europe at Ecolab tells LCNi, since the beginning of the year the company has made serious efforts in expanding its French operations by launching of some new technologies and solutions.
Pionnier says: “In recent months, we successfully launched our new water recovery system – Water Optimizer Ultimate, an integral part of our 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach, at the
SELF SERVICE: There is stong momentum in the self service sector PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Antoine Boureau
URBH study days. This system reduces tunnel washer water consumption by 40% and overall gas consumption by 10%. “In addition, we had the privilege of assisting our customer Blanchisserie de Paris in the construction of their third laundry, offering them our solutions for low temperature washing and water and energy reduction. A large-scale project with a new-generation plant, meeting their ambitions and their vision of an even more responsible industry.”
Commenting on future prospects for the French laundry and drycleaning sector Pionnier expects overall demand will continue to grow, but that the laundries will have to face up to some major challenges. “For example, today, optimising the use of natural resources is a real challenge for laundries and even more so since the recent drought. In France, since March 2023, a water sobriety plan, called the ‘PLAN EAU’, has been in place and should help achieve the national objective of reducing water withdrawals by 10% by 2030. Laundries are directly affected by this. Unfortunately, even washing textiles at low temperatures with good management of the washing process is no longer enough. That’s why Ecolab has invested in innovative chemicals, equipment, and technologies to help laundries push the boundaries and set new standards for resource efficiency and climate protection in the laundry industry,” says Pionnier.
TOURISM RULES: High occupancy in the hotel sector is driving demand PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Riccardo Milani
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The French market remains one of the most promising for another global major, this time on the appliance front, Alliance. This is confirmed by recent statements
from Guillaume Verdoucq, country manager Alliance France, according to whom the company demonstrated a very good growth dynamics in France in the first half of the current year, as its local business grew by over 20%.
Verdoucq explains: “Now, Alliance France is closer to the market especially in the healthcare segment. In order to develop our main commercial brand Primus, we do have more sales representatives closer to our partners and together they’re proposing turnkey solutions from A to Z thanks to our full rental proposal. Furthermore, Alliance France is proud to be RABC certificated, which is the European standard for hygiene in laundry environment.”
According to Verdoucq, despite the good performance of the company, the overall situation in the industry remains generally complex. “The drycleaning segment is suffering and the number of stores closing drastically for the last five years. The remaining drycleaners did switch mainly from solvent-based machines, due to the price and new regulations, to alternative solvents and wetcleaning solutions.” He says the drycleaning segment is now slightly moving to the laundry business which includes bed sheets, towels from small capacity hotels, Air BNB and some individual households. “Those new customers are looking for seasonal flexibility, but also the possibility for the hotel to own their own personalised linen,” he adds. Jensen France also reported a good performance in the French market this year. As Michel Miklanek, general manager Jensen France revealed, Jensen France has a
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