Electrolux Professional has a clear track record on sustainability, even when awareness of this concept was not so strong in the market. When and how did Electrolux Professional start to include sustainability in their products and services as a key priority?
When I joined Electrolux Professional in 2006, sustainability was clearly deep-rooted in the company culture of more than 120 years. The Scandinavian heritage of more than 120 years made sustainability a priority since the company foundation.
This is something you can see reflected in our research and development in our laundry division. We are committed to finding new, innovative ways to cut resource consumption on our appliances. Each range being more sustainable than the last.
Also on a global base we are keenly aware of the importance of sustainability and endeavour to always stay one step ahead of the current market expectation. For this reason, we have doubled down on our sustainability targets, and have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030.
In what way has Electrolux Professional included sustainability in machine technology and services in subsequent years?
It is our intention to implement sustainable functions on our appliances as standard, to help minimise the effort required from the customer to make environmentally friendly choices.
To give some examples : We were one of the first suppliers in the industry to implement heat pump technology for the driers back in 1984. Dryers are the most energy consuming appliances. Being able to keep the consumption under control was a major step.
Also, back from the end of the 90´ we introduced a water based cleaning system in order to be able to treat those delicate garments, which used to be the exclusive domain of perchloroethylene dry cleaning.
Most recently, Our Line 6000 commercial washers, for instance, are equipped with the Automatic Savings and Intelligent Dosing features, which automatically adjust the water and detergent usage respectively to help minimise wastage.
Repairability, a key component in the circular economy, is also something we are continuing to promote through maintenance services such as Essentia, with the goal of maximising product lifespan.
Does Electrolux Professional see wetcleaning as the ultimate solution for sustainable cleaning of textiles today and tomorrow?
Wetcleaning is perhaps the most significant development to come out of the commercial laundry industry in the past 20 years when we talk about sustainability. With the ability to take delicate garments and specialist items from dry to dry in as a little as one hour while only using water as a solvent, the sustainability benefits over traditional dry-cleaning methods are clear. In my eyes, it is certainly the ultimate solution for sustainable cleaning.
There is a trend towards diversification in cleaning of interior textiles, curtains, leather, shoes, etc. Do you feel that everything should and can be wetcleaned so far?
The important thing to recognise about the commercial laundry industry is that it is constantly innovating, and this is something that is reflected in washing techniques. When I first joined the industry, wetcleaning was seen as a specialist service with limited capabilities. Now it has grown increasingly advanced, to the point that there are very few items that cannot be handled at present. Not all wet cleaning are the same though, I can say with confidence that with our lagoon® Advanced Care wet cleaning system we can already today handle without concerns any item and / or textile. Be it wedding dresses, curtains, leathers, we do have a specific solution. Even covering shoes, bags, and sneakers.
Scientific studies have proven professional cleaning to be 2 – 3 times more environmentally friendly with a lot of savings on CO2 compared to domestic washing. An important advantage. How come that over the years the professional industry nevertheless still has only 4% market share in the textile cleaning market?
While the professional cleaning industry has made huge strides to implement more sustainable practices in recent years, this is only half the battle, as clearly signposting these benefits to consumers holds the key to moving them away from exclusively using domestic appliances. There are many misconceptions around what commercial laundry actually looks like among end users, with the phrase still conjuring up images of a vintage 80s laundromat for many. In this sense, dispelling the lingering myths and communicating the fact that commercial laundry can be cheap, convenient, and more sustainable than domestic laundry is an ongoing challenge that we and many others in the industry are pushing to solve. For sure we need a mindset change, and I believe that working together with a reputable association like Cinet, will be of great help to make that change happen, for the benefit of the planet.
The industry seems to have lost connection with youngsters in general. Do you expect that to change when we profile the advantages of sustainability and circularity more to societies and especially youngsters?
The question of youth is something that we are deeply invested in as a company. Both attracting new recruits and establishing the next generation of customers will be key to the success of our business, as well as the wider industry as a whole. Among the younger generations, we are consistently seeing sustainability rank highly in both their career and purchasing decisions. By signposting the excellent work the industry is doing in this regard, we hope to rekindle with the connection with youth that has been lost in recent years.
Increasing the number of cycle times of cleaning garments results in huge CO2 Savings. However, this is still not common knowledge. How come?
It should be recognised that those making the purchasing decisions for new commercial laundry equipment are rarely the same people as those operating it. For this reason, while a business may be equipped with the means to run a sustainable laundry, their staff may not be aware of what best practice actually looks like.
Ultimately, this all comes down to a question of education, and is something that must begin with the manufacturer. This is something that we are actively trying to address, by offering training at both customers’ sites and our various Centers of Excellence across Europe, but also Asia and US.
If following best practice, professional textile care results in increased lifetime for garments. What should the industry/supply chain do to get people to change their habits and outsource their textile maintenance?
There are a number of key factors that weigh into consumers’ decision of how to wash their laundry. These include cost, convenience, sustainability, and the quality of the wash, among a number of secondary considerations. While domestic washing holds the upper hand in the former two categories, the industry needs to communicate the long-term benefits of professional textile care in regard to both sustainability and extending the lifespan of their items. If consumers can be convinced that the benefits of outsourcing outweigh that of their current habits, they can be won over, especially with the younger generation, most sensitive to environment impact of their actions.
What should the professional textile care industry do to raise awareness on this superior sustainability in societies and with private customers in particular?
As previously mentioned, clearly signposting the sustainability benefits of professional textile care is an ongoing challenge for the industry that will not be solved overnight. In this sense, it is essential that this problem is approached from all angles in order to make the most impact possible. This means both working with distributors to highlight the sustainable functions and benefits of equipment to end users through training and supporting literature, as well as engaging with consumers directly through boots-on-the-ground action and events.
Working with NGO’s and other institutions is also vital. It is a fact that the consumptions in terms of textiles coming from the growing population will have a huge impact on the life of the planet. Making the institutions better aware of the dangers coming from impact of the textile industry, and offering the opportunity for a correct handling of the problem will be definitely part of our agenda.
Electrolux Professional is one of the main partners of THE WORLD CONGRESS & BEST PRACTICES AWARDS 24. What should the outcome of this event be to contribute substantially in stimulating the PTC business development?
The main purpose of the event should be education, and to share major developments in order to drive further innovation across the industry. Through the forum of Q&As, discussions, networking, and more, stakeholders can join together to establish a clear framework for best practice. This is especially critical where emerging concepts are concerned, such as artificial intelligence and remanufacturing. Through this, we can ensure that the industry continues to grow, which in turn will stimulate more business for everyone.
