Regenex has been using inhouse textile dyeing expertise to colour 100,000 medical scrub suits for future use on healthcare frontlines.

The white workwear, ordered for emergency use, has been dyed in shades of cobalt, raspberry and ciel to meet the requirements of the NHS trusts which will use them.

We diverted from our core operations to process the medical tops and bottoms in partnership with a laundry customer.

While Regenex is best known for reviving the pristine whites of commercial linen, via a gentle multi-bath stain removal process, we also routinely re-dye stock such as faded tableware, continuous roller towels, and staff uniforms.

Paul Hamilton, technical director at Regenex, said: “In this climate many businesses are diversifying from their usual operations and we’re no exception.

“Our background is in textile coloration, and we are delighted to be helping our NHS heroes. These scrub suits – ordered in white when increased demand meant no other colours were available – are now in more suitable colours, denoting rank, and will be used to equip hospitals.

“These include the temporary Nightingale sites, set up to meet the need for more beds, caused by the pandemic.”

Regenex personnel have many years’ experience in the dyeing of natural and synthetic fibres and has re-dyed NHS thermal blankets as well as hospitality linen in the past.

Despite the enforced pause on hotels and leisure – a large part of the company’s core custom – directors have set a new goal to process 1,000 tonnes of the UK’s dirtiest linen before its fourth birthday at the end of 2021.

The ambitious target represents a step-up in operations. So far, Regenex has successfully rescued 650 tonnes of discoloured white linen that would have been condemned to landfill or rag – and re-dyeing services have been applied to 75 tonnes of textiles.

Extending the life cycle of linen reduces the need for the manufacture of new stock, thereby conserving the world’s limited resources.

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