Enki Towels, a supplier of 100% plant-fibre salon towels, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Founded in April 2015, the company began with a vision to replace disposable and conventional cotton towels with a luxurious, compostable alternative. Director Nilofer Aydinli states the brand aimed to be kind to both the planet and users while offering a cost-effective option for salons by reducing water, energy, and laundry expenses.
The initial launch in April 2015 included white and black hair towels, body towels, couch covers, and hand and face towels. Jumbo sheets arrived in March 2019, and plastic hair-cutting capes were introduced in June 2020. White towels have proven most popular, attributed to their lower production cost and perceived hygiene, though black towels are chosen for aesthetic matching.
Enki's commitment to 100% plant fibres was a core principle, rejecting cheaper polyester blends due to their environmental impact and lack of compostability. Packaging evolved in May 2023 to fully compostable bags, complementing the brand's eco-ethos, symbolised by its name derived from the God of water and a green logo representing sustainability. The brand achieved 'OK COMPOST INDUSTRIAL' certification to validate its compostable claims.
The company's primary challenge has been converting salons from cotton, a hurdle overcome by demonstrating the savings in time, money, and laundry. A significant milestone occurred in August 2022 when a major salon chain adopted Enki exclusively. Enki aims for global expansion in the next decade, focusing on maintaining quality and customer relationships.
This decade-long focus on sustainability from a single supplier highlights a growing, albeit sometimes slow, shift in the professional beauty sector. While Enki points to cost savings and convenience as drivers for adoption, the conversion of the majority of salons away from traditional cotton remains an ongoing endeavour.
