Instep Joins Preens for Launch of Groundbreaking 2MW Electric Boiler

Dunedin, New Zealand — Instep, through its Director and Founder, Peter Birkett, joined industry leaders and sustainability advocates on 2nd of December for the official launch of Preens Apparelmaster’s new 2MW electric boiler, a landmark project that places the century-old laundry company at the forefront of industrial decarbonisation in Australasia.

The boiler that’s reshaping Preens’ carbon footprint — Peter and Rick on site.

The newly commissioned boiler, powered entirely by certified renewable electricity, is set to reduce Preens’ carbon emissions by more than 800 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually. This is the same impact as taking 320 utility vehicles off New Zealand roads for a full year.

Preens is the first commercial laundry in Australasia to install and commission this scale of electric boiler with advanced European heat-recovery technology. Fully operational since July, it now provides the majority of the process heat required for Preens’ Dunedin operations.

Side by side: Preens' legacy diesel unit and the new 2MW electric boiler  

The newly commissioned boiler, powered entirely by certified renewable electricity, is set to reduce Preens’ carbon emissions by more than 800 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually. This is the same impact as taking 320 utility vehicles off New Zealand roads for a full year.

Preens is the first commercial laundry in Australasia to install and commission this scale of electric boiler with advanced European heat-recovery technology. Fully operational since July, it now provides the majority of the process heat required for Preens’ Dunedin operations.

Awarded by Instep for the biggest total CO₂e emissions reduction

Birkett attended the launch to support Preens’ milestone achievement and to observe firsthand how cutting-edge technology, collaborative planning, and government partnerships can accelerate progress toward New Zealand’s emissions-reduction goals.

The boiler, manufactured in New Zealand by Energy Plant Solutions, was only the second of its kind when installed. Operating at 10.5-bar pressure (186°C), the electric system has already improved energy efficiency across the laundry’s operations. Preens reports a 44% decrease in energy intensity, measured in kilowatts per kilogram of laundry processed.

With New Zealand’s electricity grid already running at 87.5% renewable, the South Island’s hydropower supply gives businesses like Preens a strong advantage in shifting away from fossil fuels.

Instep has been supporting Preens’ decarbonization since 2012 and has received Platinum recognition from the organization.