TERSUS Deploys Europe's First Water-Free Laundry Service

Denver, CO, March 30, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Initial and TERSUS Solutions partner to deliver a unique water-free laundry program, the first of its kind in the €11 billion European industrial laundry market. The patented, closed-loop, TERSUS® Barrier System cleans high-value corporate workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) using liquid carbon dioxide instead of water. The new cleaning service will extend the life of rental workwear and increase worker health and safety, while taking an important step toward a more resource-responsible circular economy for textiles in Europe.

Delivering safer garments with a longer useful life

This innovative washing process underlines how important we think it is to make the work of people in certain occupations healthier, by cleaning their clothes sustainably and with respect for the environment.

Alain van Lidth de Jeude, CEO Initial Benelux

Water-based cleaning has dominated textile manufacturing and maintenance for centuries despite some of its limitations for maintaining workwear. The fibers of high-value workwear degrade via aggressive mechanical action, harsh chemistry, and high temperatures associated with traditional cleaning and drying. TERSUS introduces a specialty solution that produces unparalleled cleanliness and decontamination for high-value workwear. Distinct from water, TERSUS uses no heat and gentler mechanical action to reduce garment degradation, and ensure worker health.

TERSUS combines the natural properties of liquid carbon dioxide with patented hardware to improve the durability of PPE and corporate workwear. In TERSUS testing involving oil field workwear, TERSUS removed 98% of oily contaminants, while water only removed 58%. The closed-loop TERSUS® Barrier System delivers unrivaled levels of cleanliness in the fabrics and the facilities where they are cleaned.

Regulators in Europe and the United States are increasingly concerned about worker safety resulting from contaminants encountered during hazardous work assignments, including fire fighting. Without appropriate and timely cleaning, workers are at risk of secondary exposure to contaminates. “This innovative washing process underlines how important we think it is to make the work of people in certain occupations healthier, by cleaning their clothes sustainably and with respect for the environment,” says Alain van Lidth de Jeude, CEO of Initial Benelux.

 TERSUS begins unlocking the circular economy for textiles

Initial’s rental workwear model is a prime example of existing circular economy models for textiles. This model improves resource use in the apparel industry. TERSUS introduces a complementary innovation, consistent with circular economy principles, increasing the durability of apparel while using no water, less energy, less chemistry, and creating no effluent waste. The TERSUS water-free cleaning solution can guarantee fiber integrity, color fastness, and technical functionality while reducing the environmental impact of laundry.

Note:

On April 28, 2016 – International Health & Safety Day – Initial will host a demonstration of the TERSUS Barrier machine in Lokeren, Belgium. Journalists are welcome to attend. For more information please contact Brit Gibson (details below).

About TERSUS Solutions

TERSUS Solutions delivers maximum environmental, social, and financial impact in the textile supply chain by eliminating water in textile manufacturing and cleaning. By offering a turnkey, integrated solution – hardware, software, and chemistry – TERSUS makes it easy for textile companies to adopt innovation that benefits their customers and the environment. TERSUS hold numerous patents, including on the Barrier System, which segregates contaminated and clean apparel consistent with RABC guidelines in the European Union.

Based in Denver, Colorado, TERSUS works with leading brands around the world including Patagonia, The United States Navy, Rentokil-Initial, and the California Energy Commission. Learn more at www.tersussolutions.com

About Initial

Initial is a global leader in health and occupational services and operates in more than 45 countries worldwide, including the major economies of Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. Initial offers innovative and environmentally friendly services and solutions for large and small organizations in various sectors such as offices, government, schools, food, hospitality, medical and paramedical sector, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and transportation. Learn more at www.initialservices.be

Brit Gibson

Marketing Manager – TERSUS Solutions

bgibson@tersussolutions.com