Innovation, collaboration & sustainability; key to success of today’s cleaning products industry

Jan. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Reckitt Benckiser, Indesit, Method, Ecover, P&G, Unilever, Huntsman, Mintel and more, will all feature on this year’s agenda which has a strong focus on the importance of innovation and collaboration in the cleaning products industry. By bringing together detergent manufacturers and machinery manufacturers as well as chemical suppliers and brand owners, the conference will provide a platform for synergy, to allow all parties to stay up to date with developments at each level of the supply chain.

The main topics to feature on the agenda include sustainable innovation, consumer interests, appliance manufacturer perspectives, performance results from testing laboratories and regional trends and differences.

In spite of the economic problems that have hit developed economies and reduced consumers spending power, the industry continues to actively develop new innovative products to satisfy demanding customers, according to Peter Smallwood, IntertechPira consultant. The continuing themes of reducing laundry washing temperature, increasing detergent concentration and improving rinsing have been reinforced by products that reduce washing time. Liquid laundry detergents are not as dominant in Europe as they are in the USA and single dose tablets or liquid pouches are increasing in popularity.  Fragranced fabric conditioners continue to be important and the first combined detergent and fabric softener has hit the supermarket shelves. Is this the start of new multi-functional laundry products that have been standard in automatic dishwashing detergents for years?

And sustainability? “Business models, product innovation and consumption are now at the heart of the sustainability challenge: the brands that will be prospering in a decade are those that are radically committed to becoming more sustainable. Not for 1% or 10% of their activities. But for 30, 50% or 100%. Essentially, a strong brand is an exciting journey shared with consumers: at last, this is one journey worth the effort”, according to Elisabeth Laville, Founder of Utopies and speaking on this year’s programme.

It has also been the case that the removal of phosphate builders is being extended from laundry to dishwashing detergents, accelerating the search for new effective builders. Enzymes are being developed that reduce the need for surfactants and builders and more recently bleaches. Liquid stable bleaches could be used to increase the effectiveness of liquid detergents. Antibacterial agents have been introduced into detergents in Japan and Asia.

So even in these troubled times the industry continues to find ways of improving sustainability while meeting increasing stringent performance requirements.

Cleaning Products Europe takes place on 20-22 March, Crowne Plaza St Peters, Rome, Italy. More information can be found at www.cleaningproductseurope.com

To enquire about the availability of a free press pass for accredited journalists please contact

Natalie Findlay
Natalie.findlay@pira-international.com
+44 1372 802104