The textiles industry says there are significant savings to be made out of an energy efficiency programme it has started.
Industry body Textiles New Zealand is collaborating with the The Textile Care Federation, which represents the likes of dry cleaning and laundry operators, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) will distribute funding of up to $128,000 to help firms such as carpet, footwear and clothing manufacturers identify how they can save energy.
It follows a successful EECA-funded pilot programme when five companies averaged energy savings of 14%.
As well as energy efficiency assessments, funding is available for projects involving process heat and boiler management, heat recovery systems, water heating, tumble drying, washing and air conditioning.
Textiles New Zealand's chief executive Claire Cilliers says companies are queuing up to join the programme, which provides an audit of their energy use and advice on how to cut costs and be more efficient.
Industries that could benefit, she says, are tanning plants, wool mills and dry-cleaning operations.
She says there are sections of such factories that are huge energy users.
"The classic example is the long life energy bulb, you pay a little bit more up front for that bulb, but you're getting substantial gains in the long term by introducing those energy efficiencies."
