ENERGY EFFICIENT LAUNDRIES


enabling seamless integration with the heat pump system.


Generating temperatures of above 120°C, with a thermal lift of 125 °C through an electrical heat pump is an achievement that only two or three companies in the world have achieved, it says. An additional benefit of these heat pumps is their ability to produce cooling as a byproduct. This cooling is utilised within Epic Group’s laundry, to support comfort conditions for the associates. The supply of cold air ensure associates working in the laundry are comfortable even during extreme heatwaves.


Epic Group’s self-funded pilot project on heat pumps aims to demystify the technology and assess the associated capital and operational costs. Transitioning thermal loads to heat pumps involves high capital expenditure, requiring upgraded electrical infrastructure - including larger transformers, switchgear, and backup generators - supported by renewable electricity. In the UK, Micronclean has started development on what is describes as the world’s first operationally carbon-zero industrial laundry, marking, it says, a historic milestone not only in the cleanroom industry but also for the local community. The £20 million investment represents a bold step in Micronclean’s long-term growth strategy and a strong commitment to supporting the regional economy through infrastructure development and sustained local partnerships.


The project is being developed on a newly


COOL STEAM: TRIGeN Decarbonisation, an Indian Deeptech startup, has developed heat pumps capable of generating pressurised hot water at 135°C, specifically designed to meet the needs of Epic Group’s laundry operations


acquired 20-acre site on the outskirts of Skegness, Lincolnshire, which will become home to Micronclean’s innovative Cleanroom Campus, an advanced facility designed to shape the future of the company’s UK operations over the next decade. The multi-phase development plan includes the construction of a GMP Grade B (ISO Class 5) Cleanroom Laundry, new manufacturing facilities for medical devices and cleanroom consumables, a modern warehouse, and a new head office. These facilities will strengthen Micronclean’s operational excellence, expand its production capabilities and reinforce its leadership in sustainable cleanroom services. (Read more in News.)


Meanwhile, getting back to chemicals, Dan Bircham, sustainability engineering manager at Christeyns UK believes: “In general, there are good opportunities to save energy in most laundries. Washing at low or lower temperatures, maximising the use of heated water and steam and implementing efficient systems in wash sortation will all increase efficiency. “Engineering plays a crucial role in energy and water efficiency, now a large part of Christeyns’ business offering. Its dedicated commercial laundry engineering division currently handles multi-million- pound contracts for laundries across the UK and Ireland.


“As the major supplier in the UK commercial laundry sector, high-tech engineering systems have become a critical part of our customer offering. Investing in equipment for the future supports environmental goals and keeps costs down.”


Washing at lower temperature In 2014 Christeyns introduced Cool Chemistry which delivers improved whiteness and increased disinfection over conventional chemistry by using enzymes instead of alkaline chemicals. The chemicals are effective with temperatures as low as 40 degrees.


COOL CHEMISTRY: Christeyns’ CoolChemistry solution has been adopted by Fishers, Scotland’s leading hospitality laundry business


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Washing at lower temperatures uses less energy, however over 80% of laundry energy is expended in the drying process. In order to tackle this, Christeyns promotes warm water rinsing where the rinse water is pre-heated using hot effluent. This imbeds heat into the textiles as they move into the drying process.


Dryers can therefore then be used more


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