Comparison, compatibility and cost of reels
The center-pull roll is the most widely used paper hand towel by professionals, institutions, and especially in catering kitchens and restaurants. Its practical and economical paper roll design allows for drying both hands and surfaces, with the dispenser always within easy reach. The center-pull roll dispenser is a multi-standard dispensing system, the most common model being the 450-sheet center-pull roll . Discover our full range of center-pull paper hand towels for professionals, compatible with all dispensers on the market.
Center-feed roll versus other wiping solutions
There are three main solutions for wiping surfaces and hands in the public or professional sector. Of course, there are paper hand towels made from cellulose wadding, which can be divided into folded interleaved paper towels and rolls with internal or external dispensing.
Interleaved paper hand towels are primarily used in restrooms in offices, schools, train stations, airports, town halls, etc., while center-pull rolls are preferred for restaurants, kitchens, and hotels for reasons of cost and convenience. Automatic or manual roll dispensing systems are also available and can be used in all environments.
The other alternative is the electric hand dryer , but in these catering environments where standards and the presence of HACCP are required, this will not be the right solution.
Center-feed reel standards
There are different center-pull reel formats, and it's essential to ensure compatibility with your dispenser . A center-pull reel is typically designed to be unwound from the inside after removing (sometimes difficult) a cardboard spiral inside the reel. For this reason, some reel manufacturers offer reels without an internal core, eliminating this sometimes awkward removal and, more importantly, saving on the cost of the cardboard core during manufacturing. While coreless reels are generally more expensive , they simplify the user experience and contribute to environmental responsibility by reducing waste associated with cores.
Reel with or without unwinding mandrel
As we saw earlier, the reel is commonly manufactured around a spiral-shaped cardboard core that must be removed. Several manufacturers offer a center-pull reel without this cardboard core , which are called coreless center-pull reels . At Tork, the best-known reel is reference 121208, a two-ply product that is food-grade, Ecolabel certified, and FSC certified.
The best-known coreless reel model is the one originally created by Lotus Professional: the Lotus Reflex reel. Beyond its coreless design, it was equipped with a dispenser for controlled sheet-by-sheet dispensing . After Tork acquired Lotus Professional, this system became Tork Reflex, available in a maxi M4 version and a more compact mini M3 version. We will discuss the advantages of this system and alternative offerings on the market, such as the Lucart L One , in more detail later.
Central sheet-fed unwinding reel
The drawback of center-pull systems is that they often lack precise cutting, leading to excessive consumption. Users frequently pull on the continuously unwinding sheets , routinely taking more than is needed to wipe surfaces or hands. Center-pull rolls are therefore inexpensive products in a market characterized by fierce price competition, and may seem economically advantageous, but this doesn't take into account the cost of use. If you implement a wiping system with inexpensive consumables that result in excessive consumption , the overall cost is no longer so economical.
It was within this framework that manufacturers like Lotus Professional considered "controlling" paper flow, leading to the creation of the Lotus Reflex. This system, adopted by Tork, operates as a specific roll/distributor pair with a carefully designed dispensing cone, enabling significantly more economical sheet-by-sheet dispensing.
This coreless central unwinding reel system combined with the adjoining dispenser allows you to take only one sheet at a time and therefore reduce your consumption by up to 40% or more on some sites.
Let's take a closer look at the most widespread offers on the market with Tork Group Essity and Lucart Group.
Sheet-by-sheet reel unwinding systems
Lucart L One central unwinding system
The Lucart L One dispenser offers two sizes: mini and maxi. Lucart provides several roll varieties, including an Ecolabel roll that is 100% eco-friendly because it is made directly from recycled food cartons. The Lucart system allows for controlled paper dispensing, which is the main problem with this consumable. Indeed, while the product is certainly inexpensive to purchase, dispensers without sheet-by-sheet control quickly become endless pull-tabs with high consumption.
Tork Reflex central wire feed system M3 and M4 (formerly Lotus Reflex)
The
Tork Reflex system is available in two formats: maxi and mini. The major innovation of the Reflex concept is its
sheet-by-sheet dispensing, rather than the continuous dispensing that occurs until the user decides to stop, unlike the traditional central feed system.
This results in significant savings while maintaining wiping quality thanks to the quality of Tork products. It also generates less waste and therefore presents a more positive environmental impact.
The Tork Reflex M3 system is the MINI size with distributor 473137 (Ex Lotus 2239)
The Tork Reflex M4 system is the MAXI size with dispensers 473133 (Ex Lotus 2237), 473140 (Ex Lotus 2250) and portable 473126 (EX Lotus 502020).
Center-feed reel size, colors, environment
Large and small format unwinding reels
There are two main types of reels, characterized by the size of the central unwinding dispenser and therefore the size of the associated reel . The choice will depend on the available space for the dispenser and the desired efficiency. Choosing a mini reel will primarily be based on space constraints.
The most common format is the center-pull roll of 450 sheets, packaged in bundles of 6 rolls. The roll height varies from 19 to 23 cm depending on the product, and the diameter is approximately 20 cm.
The second format is the "mini center-pull" which has a lower number of sheets (150 to 210 on average) and therefore a smaller outer diameter (10 to 13 cm depending on the product).
The use of color for the central unwind reel
In the food processing and catering industries, where center-pull rolls are predominantly used, the risk of roll fragments separating from food products has emerged. Whether it's on a wiping cloth, a piece of kitchen towel , a piece of packaging, etc., the risk of contaminating food being prepared with foreign matter exists, even if it remains low.
This is why the color blue was developed for the central dispensing reel, to ensure that any piece of cotton wool that might have fallen into food being prepared can be easily identified. This color coding is particularly useful in food preparation areas when the dispenser is placed directly above a sensitive work surface, for example.
The reel also exists in chamois color when it has an industrial purpose on garages, workshops, industries....At Lucart the reel like a large part of the EcoNatural range is in "natural" color but there is another reason that we will discover now.
Central unwinding reel certification and environment
The problem with disposable products, and even more so with this product, the high-consumption center-pull reel, is the framework of its manufacture and its recycling after use.
In short, for this type of product, the product life cycle is important.
Therefore, before buying a roll of wiping paper, you will have the opportunity to check its compliance with the following labels: Ecolabel, FSC, PEFC , and also whether it is food contact safe.
Lucart is an innovative manufacturer in compliance with environmental standards and Lucart's EcoNatural range takes this approach to the next level.
The manufacturing method for this Eco Natural Lucart center-pull roll protects the environment by recycling the cellulose fibers from the food cartons from which it is made. This manufacturing method was innovative and pioneered by Lucart.
This reel is food contact safe and can therefore be used in kitchens and restaurants without any restrictions .
Recycling food cartons is the path chosen by Lucart to make its product environmentally friendly.
So yes, the color of the spool is not white and immaculate, but it respects the environment while ensuring you a level of safety in the kitchen at least equal to the spool you use today!
So make the eco-responsible choice.
To conclude on the center-winding reel
As you've probably gathered, this is a necessary product, but one that's often undercut and therefore sometimes compromised in quality to meet the market's demand for low prices. So, a central unwind reel is fine, but opt for a system that allows you to control your consumption and is environmentally responsible!
Comparison of central unwinding reels
| Code | Designation | Country | Ecolabel | FSC | PEFC | Eating | Wadding | Brand |
| 321450 | 450 ft center-feed reel | France | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Pure | Neutral |
| 121208 | Tork M2 450 fts reel | Germany | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Pure | Tork |
| 852241 | Natural 450 ft reel | France | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Natural | Lucart |
| 852276 | 450 ft L One reel | Italy | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Pure | Lucart |
| 852274 | 350 ft L One reel | Italy | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Pure | Lucart |
| 852275 | 450 ft L One white reel | Italy | No | No | Yes | Yes | Pure | Lucart |
| 852277 | 450 ft L One natural reel | Italy | Yes | No | No | Yes | Natural | Lucart |
| 321455 | 450 ft blue reel | France | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Recycled | Neutral |
| 321900 | 900 ft center-feed reel | France | Yes | No | No | Yes | Recycled | Neutral |
| 6223 | Wypall L10 blue unwinding spool | GB | Yes | No | No | Yes | Recycled | Kimberly |
| 6222 | Wypall L10 white unwinding spool | GB | No | Yes | No | Yes | Recycled | Kimberly |
| 321151 | Mini 160 ft unwinding reel | France | Yes | | | Yes | | Neutral |
| 321152 | Mini 210 ft unwinding reel | Italy | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Pure | neutral |
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