and Narayanan Raghavan, CEO at Dr. Linen and Rent-A-Towel
Rent-A-Towel, a Dubai-based linen rental concept for the hospitality industry, has announced the launch of Dr. Linen, an eco-friendly range of bed and bath products.
The Dr. LinenTM range has been developed to specifically address the needs of the hospitality industry, as it reopens for business in the ‘new normal’, with a focus on balancing hygiene, comfort, durability, and ROI, while minimising impact on the environment, the company has announced.
Developed using TENCEL™-branded fibres, which are manufactured sustainably using an award-winning closed loop production process, and are unfavourable for bacterial growth, the Dr. Linen range increases product durability over repeated use – while retaining a natural resistance to bacteria, unlike a standard chemical coating-based protection.
With its unique model of linen rental services, Rent-A-Towel is a globally established name in the commercial linen rental business, with an extensive client network. Their partnership with another global heavyweight from the fibre industry, TENCEL™ of Lenzing, Austria, is aimed at offering a world-class linen product for the new normal, which leverages the strengths of both the brands.
Dr. Linen products will be available to hotels, hotel apartments, hospitals, spas, beach clubs, golf clubs, fitness centres, and other commercial hospitality establishments in the UAE, and the wider region. Narayanan Raghavan, CEO at Dr. Linen and Rent-A-Towel, believes that the timing for the launch is ideal, given the relevance of the product range for hospitality operations in the new normal, and to address the requirements of the new hotel projects being launched in Dubai for the Expo 2020.
“Increased guests expectations in terms of hygiene, reduced operating budgets for hotels, general ROI concerns owing to the pandemic lockdowns, and stricter hygiene compliance requirements issued by government authorities, are some of the challenges the industry is facing on a daily basis”, says Raghavan. “Coupled with this is a growing demand for visible sustainability measures, without compromising on customer comfort or experience, Dr. Linen delivers on all counts.”
Dr. Linen offers a host of benefits for commercial linen usage in the post-pandemic era, by using a blend that includes TENCEL-branded lyocell fibres. From reducing environmental impact, in comparison to conventional products like cotton, and offering better performance, aesthetics, and comfort, the range is a winner for the hospitality industry.
“Today consumers want to be sure their purchases will not harm the environment – while also seeking style and comfort”, says Avinash Mane, Commercial Head for Lenzing fibers in South Asia & Middle East. “TENCEL fibres are unfavourable for bacterial growth, due to their unique moisture management capability. Moisture evaporates quicker than in standard cotton, keeping linen dry and hygienic, while retaining comfort and softness, even after multiple washes.”
“To add to these benefits, the product helps reduce water usage, and save the environment. With their botanic origin, low environmental impact of production, energy saved during processing, and eventual biodegradability on disposal, TENCEL fibres exemplify sustainability in the textile industry,” adds Mane.
Raghavan believes that hotels are actively looking for a linen alternative like Dr. Linen, which assures hygiene and comfort for guests, while remaining profitable and sustainable. “Given the environmental impact of the hospitality industry, progressive hotels and players are building sustainability into their core operational objectives. Lenzing has set benchmarks for sustainable fibres, and we felt their application for commercial linen could help the industry greatly reduce its carbon footprint,” he elaborates.
The production of the range is already underway and range will be available for commercial use within the next two months.
