South African Airways seeks information on environmentally responsible compressed hot towels: dry, compact tablets that expand into soft, hygienic towels when activated with water. Suppliers must address materials, packaging, expansion performance, and sustainability credentials.
South African Airways (SOC) Ltd has issued a Request for Information (RFI GSM006/2026) inviting qualified suppliers to provide market information on compressed hot towel solutions for its onboard guest service. SAA currently provides conventional pre-moistened hot towels and now requires a more environmentally responsible alternative that retains the service quality, hygiene, comfort and presentation expected of an SAA hot towel. The product must be supplied as an individually protected, dry, compact tablet that expands evenly into a clean, soft, durable, full-size towel when activated with hot or warm water. It must be suitable for domestic, regional and international flights and for a busy airline catering environment.
The scope covers the design, manufacture, supply and delivery capability for compressed hot towels, including tablet and expanded dimensions and weights, absorbency, wet and dry strength, softness, lint resistance, odour neutrality, colourfast properties where applicable, expansion time, temperature tolerance, recommended water volume, shelf life and storage conditions. Materials must be responsibly sourced and environmentally preferable, with a preference for renewable, biodegradable or compostable fibres supported by credible evidence, and must not contain substances that irritate the skin or emit unpleasant odours when heated. Any fragrance or added treatment must be clearly declared and separately approved by SAA. Packaging must protect each tablet from moisture and contamination while minimising material use, favouring recyclable or compostable options and avoiding unnecessary plastic and mixed-material laminates. Vendors must provide microbiological and skin-safety information, quality control details, product compliance documentation, disposal guidance, and substantiation for all environmental claims.
Respondents should also explain how their solution reduces storage space, transport weight, water consumption and waste compared with a conventional pre-moistened hot towel, and provide production capacity, minimum order quantities, lead times, delivery options, branding options, sample availability and indicative pricing in South African Rand. Submissions must be in English and emailed to the nominated SAA tender address by 16:00 (GMT+2) on 5 November 2026, with questions due by 29 October 2026. This is an information-gathering exercise only: no award will be made from the RFI, no supplier is bound by prices submitted, and SAA may restrict a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) to respondents to this RFI.
Manufacturers and suppliers of nonwoven or biodegradable towel products, compressed or dehydrated towel producers, hospitality and single-use amenity suppliers, sustainable packaging companies, and airline catering or in-flight consumables suppliers with capability in hygienic food-contact or personal-care textiles. Businesses with experience in eco-friendly materials, food-safe or skin-safe manufacturing, and South African or international distribution to airlines are best placed to respond. Companies able to provide product testing, compliance documentation and sustainability evidence will be most competitive.
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