ETSA News

Interview with Pere Girbau, CEO of Girbau on joining ETSA

In this exclusive interview, Pere Girbau, CEO of Girbau, shares his vision for the company's upcoming partnership with the ETSA and the impact he hopes to drive within the textile service industry. Girbau, a global leader in industrial laundry solutions with a legacy of over 60 years, is committed to advancing sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship across the sector. Pere Girbau discusses how ETSA membership will enable the company to engage in meaningful industry collaboration, set higher standards for energy efficiency and waste reduction, and champion policies that support a greener future for textile services. Through this partnership, Girbau is poised to make strides toward shaping a more sustainable and resilient industry.

Question: What motivated Girbau to join ETSA, and what do you hope to achieve through this partnership?

Girbau joined the European Textile Services Association (ETSA) to take an active role in shaping the future of the industrial laundry sector. With over 60 years of global experience, Girbau is well-positioned to contribute insights and expertise, particularly in the area of sustainability development.  Through its partnership with ETSA, Girbau aims to influence industry standards, ensure sustainable growth of our industry, and strengthen its position as a leader in the sector's environmental impact.

Question: How is Girbau addressing sustainability in its operations, and how do you see ETSA supporting these initiatives?

Sustainability is a central element of Girbau's purpose. The company has already achieved significant progress by reducing CO2 emissions within its own operations (scopes 1 and 2) and is now focusing on further reducing its footprint through the use of its machines at customer sites (scope 3). The Serie of Washers Genius is an example of Girbau's sustainable design, aimed at reducing energy and emissions, but also an important remark on our heavy-duty equipment with high efficient transfer dryers ST or the latest release of our turbo press PRT60. Through ETSA, Girbau expects to collaborate on sector-wide initiatives, share best practices, and push for policies that support a greener future, leveraging the association's broad industry network to scale its sustainable solutions.

Question: How do you plan to leverage your partnership with ETSA to promote or exchange best practices, especially in areas like energy efficiency, waste management, or water conservation?

Girbau plans to use its membership in ETSA to engage in knowledge-sharing and collective action on sustainability topics like energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation. By participating in industry conventions, meetings, and collaborative initiatives, Girbau will share its expertise, particularly its innovations in energy-efficient machines and water filtration systems. In turn, Girbau expects to learn from other members, accelerating the development of technologies that can help reduce the industrial laundry sector's overall environmental impact.

Question: Which EU policies or directives do you think will have the biggest impact on the textile service industry in the coming years, and how should companies prepare to adapt?

Girbau anticipates that EU policies focused on sustainability, especially the Ecodesign Directives and circular economy legislation, will have the largest impact on the textile service industry. As these policies push for more sustainable production and resource use, companies will need to adapt by investing in energy-efficient equipment, integrating circular design into their processes, and transitioning to greener energy sources. For the laundry sector, this means embracing new technologies and practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also position the industry as a leader in the sustainability transition.

Question: How does Girbau approach innovation, and what are some of the recent innovations or technologies that you are most proud of?

Girbau's approach to innovation is driven by a commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions. The company's recent innovations include energy-saving solutions for the drying process, which offer a rapid return on investment, and water reuse and filtration systems that drastically cut water consumption and reduce microplastic pollution. Additionally, automated systems in laundry operations enhance both efficiency and safety.

Girbau Lab is the collaborative innovation space of Girbau. Through the LAB we co-create new business models and technologies that can help to further reduce the overall impact of textiles in their use phase. Also, we engage in collaborative innovation to improve textile circularity.

Question: What are the top priorities for Girbau in the textile service industry over the next few years, and how do these align with ETSA's current strategic focus?

Girbau's top priorities are to develop technologies and services that support textile service partners in achieving profitability, reliability, and more sustainable outcomes. One of its key goals is to help its customers reduce their CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030. This aligns closely with ETSA's strategic focus on sustainability and innovation, as both organizations prioritize environmental impact reduction and operational efficiency. By working together, Girbau and ETSA aim to drive meaningful progress in the textile service industry, particularly through the adoption of greener technologies and processes.