TSA Biofilms Open Day
The Textile Services Association (TSA), in collaboration with De Montfort University (DMU), hosted the Biofilms Open Day on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025, at the Leicester Marriott. This event united key stakeholders from academia, industry, and innovation networks to discuss one of the most pressing challenges facing the textile and laundry sector, biofilm formation in industrial washing systems. The programme featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including experts from the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC), The Biofilm Alliance, DMU, and TSA leadership. Topics ranged from understanding biofilm biology and its implications for industrial hygiene to outlining ongoing research initiatives supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through NBIC’s Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP).
The event showcased a growing commitment to addressing biological challenges in industrial laundry, including microbial persistence in tunnel washers and the limitations of conventional disinfection methods. Through shared insights and open discussion, the forum aimed to define a scope of research, establish a steering group, and encourage collaboration across sectors. The presence of global research and supply partners underscored the strategic importance of this work to both the UK and international textile services industries.
The Biofilm Alliance was proud to attend and contribute to this vital conversation. Dr Jay Sangha gave a talk which highlighted the critical role of biofilm standards and regulations in ensuring consistent, science-based approaches to hygiene validation and process control within this industry. The presentation also emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration, uniting regulators, researchers, and industry leaders, to create unified strategies for managing biofilm-related risks. Our participation reinforced the Biofilm Alliance’s mission to foster evidence-based innovation that translates into safer, more sustainable, and more resilient industrial practices. Events like this underline the power of partnership in tackling complex microbial challenges and advancing the shared goal of improved biofilm management across industries.