LaundrexNet2024 was a highly interactive session featuring experts from the government sector, operators, and manufacturers. It drew participants from a diverse cross-section of industries, including launderers, railways, hospitality, healthcare, consultants, and startups — some of whom travelled from far as Nagaland to attend.
The session began with an opening address by Shankar Waghmare, Joint Director of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), who focused on industry-related issues and their environmental impact. Waghmare also addressed audience questions and detailed the MPCB’s initiatives in Maharashtra from a government perspective. The panel included experts such as Brijesh Gupta (Excellence Manager, Operation Support & Processes, Asia-Lindstrom), Zehen Arora (Director of Sales, Stefab India), Ajit Patil (SRO, MPCB), B Srinivasa Rao (CEO, Klen Laundroworks), and Arun Maurya (Head of Engineering & Laundry, Rossari Professional).
The laundry industry, currently classified under the ‘Orange’ category, seeks re-evaluation of its status, arguing its use of safer, eco-friendly detergents. The MPCB Joint Director suggested that the textile processing is placed in ‘Red’ category for high polluting industries, not ‘Orange’. If you (laundry industry) are able to make a representation to the authorities, convince them about usage of non-polluting chemicals and environment-friendly processes, they may change the categorisation from orange to ‘white’.
Waghmare outlined the legal requirements and regulatory mechanisms for setting up a laundry facility, covering aspects such as effluent discharge, hazardous waste management, and air pollution control. He emphasized the importance of water management, including its use for steam generation and recycling.
“The most important step before establishing a laundry is to review the development plan from the relevant government authority and adhere to its rules and regulations. Once the location is decided, an approved plan must be obtained from a competent authority, followed by securing a license from the state pollution control board. This includes the installation of pollution control equipment. After inspection, consent is granted, with fees based on the capital investment (land, building, plant, and machinery).”
Laundry facilities fall under the “Orange” category according to central pollution control norms, Waghmare explained. Consent to operate is issued for up to 10 years, contingent on the installation of pollution control equipment, while consent to establish is valid for five years. The application process is conducted online, with key requirements including a detailed water budget, effluent treatment methods, and discharge protocols.
He warned against practices such as using wood to heat water and urged businesses to collaborate on effluent treatment.
“Water pollution is a significant issue, making effluent treatment and proper discharge essential. Compact units for on-site water treatment and recycling are available, though they require upfront and operational investment. For example, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) provides facilities for effluent treatment with specific norms such as pH between 5.5 to 9, BOD below 30, COD under 250, and TDS less than 2,100. Once these parameters are met, treated effluents can be discharged into municipal sewage systems with approval.”
Small and medium-scale laundry operators can either install individual treatment systems or collaborate to establish shared facilities. Clean fuel alternatives for steam generation, such as electricity, should replace wood, which depletes natural resources. He added that air pollution control systems are mandatory for coal-based operations to comply with environmental regulations.
Industry Insights
B Srinivasa Rao highlighted the critical role of machines and chemicals in sustainability, from energy savings to water conservation. Responding to audience queries, Zehen Arora explained that machines capable of recycling rinse water are available. “Machines like a 30kg standalone washer-extractor can be equipped with a tank to filter and recycle used water, which can then be reused in the same machine,” Zehen shared.
Brijesh Gupta described Lindstrom’s green laundry setup in Chennai, “We work on a modular concept, with a water tank, two washers, and one dryer. The rinsed water is recovered and reused for pre-wash cycles, saving 2.5 liters of water per kilogram per wash.”
Rakesh Sharma of Quick Smart Wash Pvt. Ltd, one of the delegates, noted that his facilities recycle over 78% of water using ATP-UF-RO systems. However, he posed a challenge to equipment manufacturers and chemical suppliers to innovate further.
In response, Zehen mentioned that “There is something called the loading ratio, also known as the filling factor, which has been 1:10 for decades. Some have moved to 1:9 or 1:8, but wash quality is affected if the filling factor is disturbed. For a 30kg machine, the basket should be 300lt in volume as per the 1:10 ratio. Reducing water consumption ultimately depends on the operator and the process — it is more of a marketing tactic.”
Arun Maurya added that innovations like tunnel washer software and enzyme-based chemicals offer potential solutions, though challenges remain, including the cost and environmental impact of these enzymes.
When asked about the environmental aspects of wet cleaning versus dry cleaning, Zehen clarified: “Wet cleaning cannot replace dry cleaning. Neither method is fully eco-friendly, as both involve water discharge and chemical use. However, eco-friendly dry cleaning machines with solvent recovery systems can mitigate environmental damage.” He further added that the stand taken by management against use of the chemical Perk, assumed to be carcinogenic, he pointed out that in garment-manufacturing nations like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, this chemical is in use in large quantities. Eco-friendly options are available in the market. A dry cleaning machine is eco-friendly than other processes, because everything happens internally. Solvent recovery is 99 per cent, sludge collecting inside could be deposited in sites capable of handling it. When using a wet clean machine or a laundry, also use a dry clean machine so that in case of some fabrics, the solvents could reduce the damage from changes on the fabric in wet cleaning.
Green Cleaning
The panel emphasized “green” solutions, with Arun noting the challenges of balancing sustainability with cost.
“Green cleaning involves using natural or environment friendly solutions, but these often come with higher costs. The industry needs to address whether customers are willing to bear the extra expense,” he remarked.
“Sorting is the main factor, hospital (laundry) is the most difficult as infected linen cannot be touched by hand. Companies have come out with a plastic which can be put into the machine and it dissolves. Cost per kg and cleaning are factors which come into play, so the focus on chemicals to reduce water is a study. The solution involves all of us.” Brijesh revealed that “at Lindstrom, we use enzyme chemistry, where the water requirement is less compared to normal chemicals, the requirement for temperature is low and the pH is less.”
Rakesh again stressed that they experienced fabric breaking with enzymes used during washing.
The Cost of Efficiency
Running a B2B laundry operation is capital-intensive, especially when incorporating recycling measures. However, Waghmare concluded on an optimistic note:
“Prioritizing human and environmental health is crucial. Charging customers a premium for sustainable practices is acceptable for those who can afford it. Adhering to regulations will ensure a smooth and compliant business operation.”