The Hohenstein Institute has developed a model specifically for predicting the lifespan and period of use for cotton textiles, so that uniform providers can work out their costs for replacing worn out materials.
“The weakness of the euro that has been continuing for several months now, is making raw materials which are imported into the EU and priced in dollars more expensive,” a Hohenstein Institute press release said.
“This affects textiles more than anything: the wholesale price for cotton from Asia, when converted into euros, has risen by around 15 per cent,” it added.
“This means that measures to ensure that textiles maintain their value and have a long service life are becoming more and more important,” the institute averred.
The main factors affecting how well textiles maintain their value include the quality of the materials used and whether they are professionally cleaned.
To ensure, for example, that leasing textiles remain in use for a long time, it is important that textiles are processed gently.
If a textile product is to be in service over a long period, it is essential that high-quality materials are used.
It should therefore be considered when the textiles are purchased whether or not they are suitable for leasing.
The Hohenstein Quality Standard 701ff provides a good guide, on the basis of which, experts in the modern washing laboratory at the Institute test how suitable, textiles are for processing in commercial laundries and for leasing.
They test the mechanical properties, colour fastness and, optionally, also the fit and wearing comfort.
“This not only provides an independent assessment at the point when textiles are being selected, but can also help with monitoring the quality of subsequent deliveries,” the institute informed.
The Hohenstein Institute's predictive model can be used to determine the extent to which cotton textiles maintain their value, and also the lifespan and service life of uniform providers.
“This provides the security that customers need when it comes to the longest possible service life,” it observed.
The predictive model is based on the technical guideline values given in technical regulation RAL GZ 992 ‘Professional Textile Services - Quality Assurance’.
The parameters that are examined include whiteness, loss of tear strength and the damage factor or chemical fibre damage.
When it comes to reprocessing, the Hohenstein Institute evaluates and optimises the processes so that a hygienic, clean and visually pleasing result is achieved.
Experts at the Hohenstein Institute provide support that includes testing materials and checking washing processes, product development and advice.
This ensures that the economic and technical potential of modern washing technology is fully utilised to maintain the value of textiles.
The test material goes through a definite number of cycles of the cleaning process. In this way, it is able to assess various quality criteria independently and from a neutral standpoint.
