With the UAE economy reopening in the post-pandemic new normal, and preparations for the Expo in full swing, the local hospitality industry has been investing in solutions that ensure the health and wellbeing of guests without compromising on sustainability.  

One such innovation is the use of bed and bath linen made from wood-based lyocell fibres, which have been introduced in the UAE market by the partnership of Lenzing group, headquartered in Austria, and Dubai-based Rent-A-Towel, which offers complete end-to-end management of linen and laundry operations. 

In a joint interview, M Gunasekaran, Technical Customer Service Specialist for South Asia and Middle East, Lenzing fibres, and Ram Mohan, Founder & COO, Dr Linen and Rent-A-Towel elaborated on how wood-based fibres helps hospitality industry strike the perfect balance, between health, wellbeing, and sustainability. 

Gunasekaran, a textile technologist with two decades of field experience, pointed out that the pandemic has sharpened the focus on health and wellbeing more than ever.  

“Over the last few years, there has been a rise in general awareness around health and wellbeing. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an eye-opener, which led to people taking their wellbeing even more seriously.” 

While a large-scale rollout of vaccines has encouraged companies and industries in the UAE to restart at nearly full capacity, the focus on holistic wellbeing is likely to remain, he said. 

Sustainable linen 

Lenzing has sought to capitalise on this renewed focus on health with its wood-based/cellulose fibre products, joining hands with Rent-A-Towel to target the hospitality industry in the UAE. 

“The UAE has been one of the leading global adopters of innovation, across industries. And we believe the use of these innovative products in the hospitality industry will create a global benchmark, when it comes to ensuring the wellbeing of guests, and enhancing sustainability in operations,” he said. 

Gunasekaran said the company’s TENCEL lyocell fibres, which Rent-A-Towel chose for their Dr Linen range, have several advantages, including being unfavourable for bacterial growth. 

“The bed and bath linen created by using TENCEL lyocell fibres can be treated with eco-friendly agents; they shrink less, breathe more, absorb moisture better, and are ideal for sensitive skin. These products are fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, and significantly reduce the water required during the laundry process,” he said,  

Rent-a-towel’s Ram Mohan added that Dr Linen is a sustainable alternative to traditional, cotton-based linen. 

“From sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly manufacturing to being a water-wise solution that is completely bio-degradable at the end of its life, Dr Linen range meets the highest standards in sustainability, guest comfort, and health concerns, at the same time,” he said.  

Top hospitality players  

Some of the major players in the UAE hospitality industry that have adopted the Rent-A-Towel solution include Nakheel, Rove Hotels, Radisson Blu, Ritz Carlton, Manzil Downtown, and the Address Hotels.  

“We also work closely with VLCC Middle East, Movenpick, La Verda, The Oberoi, VIDA Hotels and Resorts,” said Mohan, who co-founded Rent-A-Towel to address the 4Ls - Linen, Laundry, Logistics, and Labour, for the hospitality industry. 

He added that Dr Linen fits with the company’s mission to deliver sustainable, dependable, and cost-effective, advanced linen management solutions, which help the hospitality industry achieve higher occupancy, better room revenues, and optimal guest satisfaction. 

“With our products, we aim to address the hygiene and comfort needs of the Middle East hospitality industry, with no compromise on either aspect,” he concluded. 

(Reporting by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon) 

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com

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