October 2023

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

OCTOBER 2023

BUSINESS

SUSTAINABILITY

RISK MANAGEMENT

Read about our European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards winners for 2023

Late payment in the EU

The next big green ‘thing’

Innovate with less uncertainty

Page 4

Page 36

Page 19

Page 39

CONTENTS

October 2023 | Vol.31, No.5

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

36 Can new rules tackle late payment?

19 The next big green ‘thing’

Hartley Milner wonders if updated EU legislation can really work this time.

03 News

What is main focus of companies’ sustainability policies today?

22 Day to day impacts Effective machine servicing can extend lifespans and prevent early landfill.

04 ECH Awards 2023 winners

26 The answer to net-zero?

Many businesses are using Power Purchase Agreements to manage GHGs.

12 European reports

28 What determines quality?

What defines quality of cleaning, and what do we want to achieve by doing it?

12 European reports

31 Design versus function Can a washroom dispenser combine style and functionality?

39 Innovate with less risk An open approach and clear evaluation can help FM firms innovate effectively.

43 Floored by the challenge How the job of the cleaner can be made easier when it comes to floors.

Criterion Publishing Ltd Castle House, 89 High Street Berkhamsted HP4 2DF, UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisement director Chris Godman Advertisement sales executive Laura Bell

Circulation Marie Payne

Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenos Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it

European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2023

CBP007012

NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

Smartwatches are filthy with pathogens says new Florida study Staphylococcus, E coli and Pseudomonas were among the pathogens found on the wristbands of smart watches tested in a new study.

Scientists at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Science randomly checked the devices of 20 people to determine which ones harboured the most bacteria. And they found that 95 per cent of the watch straps tested harboured some level of grime.

Porous wearables made from rubber or plastic made for better breeding grounds and therefore had the highest incidences of germs. Much lower concentrations of pathogens were found on metal wristbands, however, while those made from gold or silver revealed minimal levels

of contamination.

“Even at relatively low numbers these pathogens are of public health significance,” claims the study’s senior author Dr Nwadiuto Esiobu from the department of biological sciences at Florida Atlantic University.

Need to sanitise “Importantly, the ability of many of these bacteria to significantly affect the health of immunocompromised hosts indicates a special need for healthcare workers and others in hospital environments to regularly sanitise these surfaces.”

Staphylococcus was found on 85 per cent of the watches tested while the diarrhoeainducing Escherichia coli was

ISS to divest French business International facilities services business ISS is to divest its business in France, except for global key account customers.

The company says financial results in the country have not been satisfactory historically, diluting group operating margins and growth. “Furthermore, development in France has not generated the expected financial improvements due to inherent strategic challenges, difficult market conditions, and continued muted commercial development,” it added.

During the past several years, the ISS Group and local management in ISS France have worked towards restructuring the business and establishing a solid foundation in the French market. However,

it says building a long-term, sustainable business and a strengthened market position in France would require further significant investment and management attention.

“Our French business has a good and diversified customer portfolio base, as well as experienced and dedicated people. During the search for a buyer, ISS France will continue to service all existing customers,” said Kasper Fangel, group chief financial officer.

“As for our strategically important global key accounts customers, they are integral to our long-term strategy.

We remain fully committed to deliver excellent service to these customers in France, both now and well into the future.”

European Cleaning & Hygiene Award winners for 2023 - pages 4 & 5 • Les pathogènes Staphylococcus, E coli et Pseudomonas figuraient parmi ceux qu’une étude menée en Floride a relevés sur les bracelets de smartwatchs.

• Le groupe international de services d’installation ISS va se dessaisir de ses activités françaises, exception faite de gros clients d’envergure mondiale.

found on 60 per cent. And 30 per cent were found to harbour Pseudomonas which can lead to lung infections.

The highest staph counts were found on smartwatches worn by frequent gym-goers while

the heaviest E coli counts were discovered on the devices of pet-owners.

Experts claim that the best way to reduce smartwatch pathogens is to clean the device regularly using the right products.

EVENTS November 7-9

March 18-20 2025

Hygienalia

The Cleaning Show

Madrid, Spain www.hygienalia.com

London, UK cleaningshow.co.uk

March 26-29 2024

May 27-29 2025

China Clean Expo

ISSA Pulire

Shanghai, China www.chinacleanexpo.com

Milan, Italy www.issapulire.com

May 14-17 2024

September 23-26 2025

Interclean Amserdam

CMS Berlin

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.intercleanshow.com

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.de

October 3 2024

November 10-13 2025

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards

ISSA North America

Lisbon, Portugal www.echawards.com

Chicago, USA www.issa.com

November 18-21 2024

October 19-22 2026

ISSA North America

ISSA North America

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

December 11-13 2024

Interclean China Shanghai, China www.intercleanshow.com/china To have your event included in the Events section, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

• Staphylokokken, E coli und Pseudomonas gehörten zu den Erregern, die im Rahmen einer in Florida durchgeführten Studie an den Armbändern von Smart-Uhren gefunden wurden.

• Das internationale Facility-ManagementUnternehmen ISS wird sein Geschäft in Frankreich mit Ausnahme globaler Großkunden veräußern.

• Staffilococco, E coli e Pseudomonas sono fra gli agenti patogeni rilevati sui cinturini degli smartwatch testati per uno studio in Florida.

• La ISS, azienda internazionale di servizi alle strutture, sta per disinvestire le sue attività in Francia, ad eccezione dei principali clienti globali.

October 2023 | ECJ | 3

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

ECJ’s European award winners announced at Dublin gala dinner

The winners of the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2023 have been revealed at a glittering awards event in Dublin.

Leading service providers, manufacturers and distributors from Europe’s cleaning and hygiene sector came together to celebrate the very best of the industry. The event took place at The Round Room at The Mansion House, where the finalists were honoured, and the winners unveiled.

This year, the awards received a record number of entries, with the judges reviewing over 230 nominations. With 49 finalists across 10 categories, the winners were announced at the gala dinner event.

The winners are: • Best Use of Smart Solutions by a Service Provider - Bidvest Noonan’s Dynamic Cleaning Solution • Investment in Training Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists • Start-Up Business of the Year - BioVate Hygienics • Excellence in Client-Contractor Partnerships - FM Services Group with Optum • Sustainability - Best Practice Cleanology • Commitment to Diversity in the Workforce - Markas • Best Initiative Raising the Profile of the Cleaning Sector FEP for Cleaning Trades Week • Technological Innovation of the Year - TranZero for BubbleFlush • Leader of the Year - Jim Melvin, The Exclusive Services Group • Rising Star of the Year - Stuart Emery, Sodexo Editor of European Cleaning Journal and founder of the awards Michelle Marshall,

said: “After a record year for entries, it was fantastic to see so many companies and individuals really raising the bar for the professional cleaning and hygiene industry. The standard of entries this year was incredibly high, and every single person and organisation that entered should feel proud of their contribution to the sector.

“We were delighted to reveal our 2023 winners in Dublin.

They have all gone above and beyond to make a real difference in our industry. It was fantastic to celebrate their achievements together. Congratulations to all the winners who took home the highest prize on the night.”

Record entries The awards, which are the only pan-European awards to recognise the professional cleaning sector, are organised and run by ECJ. The event provides the opportunity for businesses and individuals from the professional cleaning industry to share their stories.

The judges are Michelle Marshall, founder of the ECH Awards, Lynn Webster, Juan Díez de los Ríos de San Juan, and Frank Veneman.

The headline sponsor was Nexaro. Other sponsors include BICSc, Ceris Burns International, Greenspeed, i-Team, ICCA, ICE Cleaning, Interclean Amsterdam, ISSA Pulire, Jangro, Kärcher, MG Hygiene, Nationwide Hygiene Supplies, Tork, Vectair Systems and Vermop Salmon.

Media partners are Tomorrow’s Cleaning in the UK, Italy’s GSA and Services in France.

You can follow the awards on X: @ECH_Awards. www.echawards.com

• Bidvest Noonan wins Best Use of Smart Solutions

The 2024 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards will take place in Lisbon, Portugal on October 3 • Derrycourt wins Investment in Training

4 | October 2023 | ECJ

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

• BioVate Hygienics wins Start-Up Business of the Year

• FM Services with OPTUM wins Client-Contractor Partnership Excellence

• Cleanology wins Sustainability - Best Practice

• Markas wins Commitment to Diversity in the Workforce

• FEP wins Best Initiative Raising the Profile of the Cleaning Sector

• TranZero wins Technological Innovation of the Year

• Jim Melvin wins Leader of the Year

• Stuart Emery wins Rising Star of the Year

Les gagnants des Prix européens de proprété et d’hygiène 2023 ont été annoncés récemment lors d’un dîner de gala à Dublin en présence de plus de 320 personnes.

Die Gewinner der European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2023 wurden vor kurzem in Dublin im Rahmen eines Galadiners, an dem über 320 Personen teilnahmen, bekanntgegeben.

I vincitori dei premi European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2023 sono stati di recente annunciati durante una serata di gala tenutasi a Dublino alla quale hanno partecipato più di 320 persone.

October 2023 | ECJ | 5

NEWS

Essity wins platinum EcoVadis

BICSc announces award winners

Essity, which owns the Tork professional hygiene brand, has been awarded the platinum medal for the third time by EcoVadis, the world leader in evaluating and improving companies’ CSR performance.

This result places Essity in the top one per cent of companies assessed by EcoVadis for its sustainable development performance. The business reached 78 points out of a maximum of 100 points in this year’s rating.

This is the third rating since 2020 that Essity has received a platinum medal.

This year’s index is based on

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) recently announced the winners of its 2023 awards. Here they are: • Outstanding Corporate Member of the Year - Lynn Webster Consultants • Excellence in Training and Assessment (UK) - University of Huddersfield • Excellence in Training and Assessment (International) NCC Holding • Assessor of the Year Pundarik Ghimire • Outstanding Client Commitment by a Cleaning Operative - Olga Bancov • Outstanding Candidate of the

the sustainability performance data derived from more than 62,000 companies assessed

by EcoVadis between 2018 and 2022 across four themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

• Pour la trosième fois Essity s’est vu décerner la médaille de platine de l’organisation EcoVadis, un leader mondial pour l’évaluation et l’amélioration de la performance des entreprises en matière de responsablité sociale.

• Au Royaume-Uni, le British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) a annoncé les gagnants de ses prix annuels.

6 | October 2023 | ECJ

• Essity wurde zum dritten Mal von EcoVadis, dem weltweit führenden Unternehmen bei der Bewertung und Verbesserung der CSR-Leistung von Unternehmen, mit der Platinmedaille ausgezeichnet.

• Das British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) hat die Gewinner seiner jährlichen Preisverleihung bekanntgegeben.

Year - Steven Parish Other awards presented: • The Chairman’s Award Sue Robinson • The Eric Hill Award Jill Roberts • The International Award - Khansaheb Facilities Management • Commitment to BICSc Training and Assessment within Healthcare - Nuffield Health • Commitment to BICSc Training and Assessment within Education - University of York • Commitment to BICSc Training and Assessment within Daily Commercial Cleaning Emrill Services

• La Essity ha ricevuto per la terza volta la medaglia di platino dalla EcoVadis, la leader mondiale per la valutazione e il miglioramento delle prestazioni RSI delle imprese.

• Il British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) ha annunciato i vincitori dei suoi premi annuali.

NEWS

ISS inaugurates Future of Work Innovation Lab in Porto International facilities services provider ISS has officially inaugurated its new Future of Work Innovation Lab in the Portuguese city of Porto.

This is a dedicated software development centre where the company will explore and devise digital solutions for the global workplace.

Office buildings around the world are increasingly equipped with technology, such as sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to support a more productive and seamless workday for employees. ISS is acknowledging that growing demand from its clients through the inauguration of the new Porto facility, called ‘The Place’.

There are currently 43 technology and software

specialists working there - by the end of the year that will have increased to 65. ”We intend to use the Future of Work Innovation Lab to develop solutions that will enhance the workplace experience of the future - in close collaboration with our customers and partners,” said Markus Sontheimer, group chief information and digital officer.

The new lab in Porto is fostering a data-driven culture within ISS as it is fully equipped with IoT sensors that capture a wide range of metrics such as employee movement, temperature, and humidity.

“We will use our location in Porto as a test office for new technology and assess how it would influence future office

ISS a officiellement inauguré à Porto, au Portugal, son laboratoire consacré à l’Avenir de l’innovation au travail.

designs. Understanding and managing comfort metrics such as air quality is crucial because they have an impact on people and energy consumption, explained Stella Alamil, managing director of ISS Tech Centre Porto.

“By leveraging our own

ISS hat offiziell sein neues Future of Work Innovation Lab in der portugiesischen Stadt Porto eröffnet.

smart tech ecosystem, we can provide our customers with a 360-degree view of their buildings and how this impacts employee well-being. By doing so, we can showcase the benefits that technology has on people, workplaces, and the planet.”

La ISS ha inaugurato ufficalmente il suo nuovo laboratorio Future of Work Innovation Lab nella città portoghese di Porto.

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October 2023 | ECJ | 7

NEWS

‘Washability’ of medical devices assessed with automated testing A system that assesses the durability and functionality of medical devices after machine-washing them has been developed in Germany by TÜV SÜD. The system facilitates the testing of items such as hospital beds, patient hoists and walking aids after they have undergone washing cycles. Factors such as surface finishes, electronics, plastic components and the resilience of movable parts during the washing process can all be evaluated.

Reliable hygiene measures are crucial in preventing infections and there is growing demand for efficient cleaning processes in the healthcare industry,

according to TÜV SÜD. This is due to a combination of factors including greater competition, rising costs and the pandemic.

All testing adheres to industry standards depending on specific criteria regarding the number of washing cycles that devices should be able to withstand.

And the test procedures take into account parameters such as temperature, pH and the cleaning agents used.

Machine reprocessing is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, according to TÜV SÜD. Beds tend to be taken to a central department where they are cleaned, disinfected and dried at the push of a button in order to reduce the workload

ABM in disability collaboration

Integrated facility and aviation services provider ABM has announced a collaboration with Disability Rights UK (DRUK) to develop and certify new induction materials for its PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) team members.

Building on a pilot partnership for ABM’s operation at Heathrow Airport, the new national certification by DRUK - a pandisability charity representing the needs and expectations of disabled people in the UK ensures ABM’s team members

have world-class training which puts passengers with assistance needs front and centre.

A key element of the training material is video content which offers insight into the lived experiences of passengers with different conditions, fostering empathy and understanding.

As part of its commitment to the passengers it serves, ABM has offered to share video content with its airport partners, allowing them to incorporate the resources into their own induction courses.

• La société allemande TÜV SÜD a développé un système qui évalue la tenue et la fonctionnalité d’appareils médicaux à l’issue de leur lavage à la machine.

• Le prestataire de services d’installation britannique ABM a conclu un accord de collaboration avec Disability Rights UK (DRUK) pour la création de nouvelles documentations d’insertion à l’intention de ses personnels à mobilité réduite.

• Le groupe britannique Churchill est devenu un Trust à intéressement des salariés. Cela signifie que les salariés de cette entreprise pourront en devenir les propriétaires.

8 | October 2023 | ECJ

of nursing teams and minimise human contact with potentially infectious surfaces.

The testing facility also recycles around 75 per cent of the water used in the washing process, saving energy and

water. And TÜV SÜD is also now considering introducing other sustainable measures such as heat recovery from the wastewater and carbonneutral energy generation through photovoltaics.

Churchill becomes EOT UK-based facilities services business Churchill Group has become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This enables a company to become owned by its employees and can be set up by a company’s existing owners.

EOTs do not involve direct share ownership by employees, rather a controlling interest in the company is transferred to an all-employee trust which is then held for the benefit of employees.

Churchill says the move will ensure it remains true to its founding entrepreneurial ethos, and its core values while continuing to grow and evolve for the greater long-term benefit of its employees, customers and communities.

Group CEO James Bradley explained: “The EOT is a natural transition as it continues our

unique culture and retains our values of doing right, seeking better and putting people first.”

“Our colleagues are what makes Churchill’s specialist businesses so successful which is why our founders wanted it to be them who should share in the future success.

“When considering ways in which to take the company forward, we were impressed by the benefits becoming an employee-owned business would bring including furthering our sustainable purpose with better impacts for people and the environment.”

The company continues to be managed on a daily basis by the existing leadership team, with the founders acting as a guiding hand to support the long-term stability and sustainability of the business.

Stay up to date with news at the ECJ website

• In Deutschland wurde vom TÜV SÜD ein System entwickelt, das die Strapazierfähigkeit und Funktionalität medizinischer Geräte nach dem Waschen in der Maschine bewertet.

• Der Facility-Management-Dienstleister ABM hat eine Zusammenarbeit mit Disability Rights UK (DRUK) gegründet, um neue Einführungsmaterialien für seine PRM-Teammitglieder (Persons with Reduced Mobility, dt. mobilitätseingeschränkte Personen) zu entwickeln.

• Die im Vereinigten Königreich ansässige Churchill Group wurde zu einem Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Dadurch gehört das Unternehmen den Mitarbeitern.

• Un sistema che valuta la durata e la funzionalità dei dispositivi medici dopo il lavaggio in lavatrice è stato sviluppato in Germania dalla TÜV SÜD. • La fornitrice di servizi alla strutture ABM ha formato una collaborazione con Disability Rights UK (DRUK) per sviluppare del materiale di induzione per i suoi membri del team PMR (Persone con Ridotta Mobilità).

• Il gruppo con sede nel Regno Unito Churchill Group è diventato un Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Questo consente di diventare di proprietà dei suoi dipendenti.

NEWS

New antimicrobial coating ‘could revolutionise’ cleaning methods A surface coating said to provide long-lasting germ-free protection has been developed in Canada.

Made from a combination of ionic fluids and copper nanoparticles, the compound could be used on high-touch surfaces such as door knobs and hand rails, say its inventors.

Researchers from the University of Windsor in Ontario claim the germ-free protection provided by the coating could last far longer than conventional bleach-based cleaning.

“The problem with conventional sanitisation techniques is that it’s not a one-and-done kind of thing,” said the team. “It requires either a dedicated employee or automation to keep surfaces germ-free. And when a surface

is wiped frequently it can etch the underlying material, creating even more opportunities for pathogens to gather.”

The new compound uses the natural germicidal properties of copper in a combination of materials said to be both durable and easy to apply.

Questions remain Researcher Sima Dehghandokht claims the material’s potential applications go beyond the scope of door knobs, hand rails and lift buttons. “They could also include hospitals, greenhouses, agrifood production facilities and even scientific labs where we deal with pathogens and harmful bacteria all the time,” she said.

But there are still questions to be answered about the

copper-based material, claim researchers. “We need to check the toxicity of the compound and determine exactly how long the coating remains effective,” they said. “We also need to look at whether by

changing the properties of the nanoparticles we could extend the antimicrobial life of the coating while also killing more aggressive bacteria that are not easily killed by a simple rub with bleach.”

Innovation and sustainability key themes of Hygienalia 2023 Taking place in Madrid from November 7-9 is the Hygienalia Spanish cleaning exhibition.

Two of the key themes of the show are innovation and sustainability - to be highlighted in two themed areas. The Green Line will be dedicated to environmental consciousness while the Red Line will focus on innovation.

• Un revêtement de surface censé offrir une protection durable contre les germes a été développé au Canada.

• Le salon espagnol du nettoyage Hygienalia aura lieu du 7 au 9 novembre.

10 | October 2023 | ECJ

• In Kanada wurde eine Oberflächenbeschichtung entwickelt, die einen dauerhaften keimfreien Schutz bieten soll.

• Die spanische Reinigungsmesse Hygienalia findet vom 7. bis 9. November statt.

Visitors will be able to follow a ‘route’ that takes them to every stand in that section of the fair.

Also new for this year is the Robot Line, which as its name suggests is dedicated to robotic cleaning solutions. And the Shine Line zone is a special area of the exhibition set aside for floor polishing treatments. www.hygienalia.com

• In Canada è stato sviluppato un rivestimento superficiale che si ritiene fornisca una protezione duratura e priva di germi.

• Dal 7 al 9 novembre si svolgerà la fiera della pulizia spagnola Hygienalia.

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LATEST: NETHERLANDS

LATEST: FRANCE

Business learning from the military

Starting a new life through cleaning

John Griep of VSR in the Netherlands on how a military pilot inspired members recently.

Christian Bouzols in France brings news from a cleaning training centre in Le Mans.

During the VSR Summer Event, one of the few female military pilots in the Netherlands addressed our VSR members.

Dominique Schreinemachers was a helicopter pilot and worked for the military. During a mission in Uruzgan in 2000, her helicopter was shot at and hit by the Taliban. Twelve anxious minutes then followed.

Dominique now uses her experiences to inspire others.

Dominique was piloting one of two Dutch helicopters over Taliban territory when her helicopter was shot at and hit in the tail. The fact that the helicopter was going to crash was soon clear to her. The question now was how long she could delay this moment. Because if she and her team of 10 colleagues crashed in Taliban territory, they would have to be prepared for torture and imprisonment.

These thoughts were running through her as she tried to keep her helicopter in the air which she was able to do for 12 minutes. In those 12 minutes, everything she had learnt flashed through her mind. Such as how to respond to violent interrogations. Fortunately, those 12 minutes were just long enough for a controlled crash at an American camp.

Dominique on that moment: “You’re still here, dusting yourself off, getting a badge and drinking a non-alcoholic beer.”

The emotions came only when her team was picked up by some colleagues who had been flying alongside them in the second helicopter: “That does a huge amount. With driven people around you, you can handle anything.”

She learnt from this that

Maiky and Kunthea are two cleaners who have learned their trade at the Espace Propreté training centre at Le Mans in western France - opened in 2022. Most of the students are migrants from overseas.

A typical classroom with 10 adults eager to learn about professional cleaning. A vast teaching area with three different types of cleaning surfaces.

Maiky, 29, completed the two-year course, obtaining a first level certification diploma.

Father of three toddlers, Maiky is very proud of this achievement. His eyes shine as he talks about the future in a trade to which he has now gained access.

“Cleaning and maintenance work, that’s definitely something I like.

“Before that, I’d had quite a few jobs, working in restaurants, selling, and other things.

But I liked none of them. One summer, I cleaned apartments for Le Mans Métropole Habitat, a letting organisation, and I liked it. With the passage of time and adequate training, I realised the work had some complexity - and that motivated me.”

The ability to follow instructions, the mastery of technical terms... Today, Maiky is back at the centre for further training. He wants to become team leader in a future cleaning company, he explains. Right now, he’s driving from customer to customer on his electric scooter.

He’s currently making €1,380 net per month for a 35-hour week. These are the wages cleaners get when they start out. For his co-worker Kunthea, that’s far from enough. “To eat, to be dressed, to pay housing costs, petrol.... those wages are just not good enough.”

This mother of four arrived seven years ago from Cambodia.

John Griep, de l’organisation néerlandaise VSR, évoque la conférence qu’a tenue récemment, devant les membres de VSR, une pilote militaire et l’intérêt de ses propos pour le monde de affaires.

you are capable of more than you think. And she wants to convey this message to the business world. Key themes in her mission include: collaboration, leadership, mental and emotional resilience and communication. She teaches you to look at life, each other, your team and especially yourself in a different way.

Checking in To do this, Dominique uses lessons she learned in the military. She explains that during military training, you first shed your identity and break it to the ground: “First, there is resistance and your ego rears its head, then you get some rock-hard lessons in nature, in solitude, without food or drink, living in total exhaustion and with fear, but afterwards you learn to ask questions, give and receive commitment, and trust your buddies. You learn to help each other.”

Some aspects from Dominique’s military missions also occur at cleaning organisations. For example, one of our members recognised ‘checking in’ with your people. At his organisation, there is a briefing every week. Colleagues then check with each other to make sure each team member is okay and knows one hundred percent what to do, asking whether that person needs any help. And at the end of the week, there is a joint check as to whether everyone was able to meet their agreements.

It seems that cleaning companies have more in common with military missions than you might think. But Dominique already knew that.

John Griep (VSR) berichtet aus den Niederlanden über eine kürzlich stattgefundene Präsentation für Verbandsmitglieder durch eine Militärpilotin – und welche Relevanz diese Präsentation für die Geschäftswelt hat.

12 | October 2023 | ECJ

Nei Paesi Bassi, John Griep della VSR ci parla di una recente presentazione per i membri tenuta da una donna pilota militare e la sua rilevanza per il mondo imprenditoriale.

En France, Christian Bouzols rend compte d’un nouveau centre de formation à la propreté situé au Mans dont les élèves sont principalement des migrants.

She also followed the training course and obtained her TFP diploma. That was last June. The year before, she had obtained her driving licence. These are the two diplomas of her life, and she’s most proud of them.

Her motivation is another of her assets. This year, at the beginning of the new term, she was recruited as a cleaner in the city’s schools, working 31 hours a week. “I would rather have been a hairdresser, but at my age that’s too late. I like cleaning homes, being of use, helping out with my colleagues. I’m good at adapting.” The ability to work and keep a job, a good quality of professional life - that’s what drives the 132 people who have found work after their training at Espace Propreté. They all made their way from the training centre to the client.

“It’s true that you can clean without being trained,” admits Gaylord Picouleau, head of professional development. “But we strongly encourage training because it’s a means to acquire the fundamentals of cleaning.

You need to learn the technicalities of machines, to dose detergents, to deal with various surfaces, to have a reasonable command of the French language in order to differentiate between products, and also to relate with the client.

In about a year Kunthea, who currently cleans at different schools to cover absent staff, will know if she will be officially made a permanent member of the school cleaning workforce, something she would certainly like. Meanwhile, she’ll continue to drive from school to school in her own car, cleaning from 6.30 to 9.30 am and from 4 to 7 pm.

But these working hours don’t allow her to take her children to school herself.

Christian Bouzols berichtet aus Frankreich über ein neues Ausbildungszentrum, in dem Migranten nach ihrer Ankunft zu Reinigungskräften ausgebildet werden.

Dalla Francia, il corrispondente Christian Bouzols ci informa su un nuovo centro di training nel quale i migranti nello stato imparano il lavoro delle pulizie.

LATEST: GERMANY

Busy month for contract cleaning Katja Scholz in Germany brings us reports from Craft Day and the CMS exhibition in Berlin In September there were two highlights for the contract cleaning sector taking place simultaneously in Germany: on ‘Craft Day’ the achievements of Germany’s craftsmen and women took centre stage for the 13th time and the international cleaning trade fair CMS opened its doors again after a Covid-enforced break.

Craft Day Over 100 trades promoted the achievements, diversity and career opportunities in skilled craft occupations within a wide range of activities. Businesses and skilled craft organisations from across the whole of Germany showed, through activities and events, that skilled crafts make our country what it is – from culture to the energy transition.

This year the focus was on the contribution made by skilled crafts to the culture of the country.

With just under a million companies, 5.6 million craftsmen and craftswomen and more than 130 occupations requiring apprenticeship training, skilled craft is an important part of the economy for the future of the country.

The contract cleaning trade also played its part: apprentices from the sector undertook preparatory professional cleaning of the lettering over the entrance into the historic House of German Skilled Crafts in central Berlin and made it shine with renewed brightness. The historic building, dating from 1908, is the headquarters of the Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH). The cleaning activity was initiated by the Federal Association of Contract Cleaners (BIV) and captured on film. The resulting film was then shown on Craft Day. “It is always a special honour to Comme le rapporte Katja Scholz, le mois de septembre a été marqué en Allemagne par deux faits saillants relatifs à la propreté - la Journée de l’artisanat et le salon CMS de Berlin.

clean historically important buildings. This helps us to highlight not only the particular features of our trade but also above all to highlight one of our core functions: cleaning is conservation and represents a key element of sustainability”, said Tanja CujicKoch, an employer from Berlin and member of the BIV Federal Board.

The German skilled craft sector also added a further special highlight in parallel with Berlin Art Week: in a pop-up gallery on Tempelhof Field there was an exhibition of items reinterpreted by a Berlin artist and curator working together with skilled craft companies. This joint activity provides the skilled craft with an artistic monument which creates new perspectives and approaches. Since 2011, Craft Day has always been held on the third Saturday in September.

CMS Berlin This year it was that time again: following cancellation due to the Covid pandemic in 2021, CMS Berlin opened its doors again.

The international trade fair this year attracted just under 21,000 visitors and 420 exhibitors from 25 countries who occupied over 31,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor display areas.

The cleaning trade fair is one of the most important meeting places for the sector, where visitors can benefit from a complete market overview of products, systems and techniques currently available across the whole range of commercial cleaning technology. When the fairs are held, the focus of the industry is on innovations and technical developments in cleaning machinery, appliances and cleaning, care and disinfectant products.

Im September gab es zwei Höhepunkte für die Reinigungsbranche in Deutschland, schreibt Katja Scholz: den Tag des Handwerks und die Reinigungsmesse CMS in Berlin.

La corrispondente tedesca Katja Scholz ci informa che in settembre due sono stati i punti salienti per il settore del cleaning in Germania, Craft Day e l’evento CMS a Berlino.

October 2023 | ECJ |13

LATEST: UK

LATEST: ITALY

Awards recognise unsung heroes

Survey shows a positive outlook

From the UK, Lynn Webster reports on the job done by those responsible for hygiene on the front line.

Anna Garbagna in Italy takes a look at the annual survey by Afidamp on product sales for 2022.

We acknowledge that the cleaning industry is very diverse, providing services across many sectors. An area that can often be overlooked is the contribution made by our armed forces and the various military cadre; the key groups of officers and enlisted personnel necessary to establish and train military units in environmental services.

We see and hear of experiences from active service in the media, reports from war-torn parts of the world, but do we consider the issues of cleanliness and hygiene which are being faced in these areas? Environmental services are a major player at the sharp end; the front line of our armed forces which most of us would never give a second thought for.

Consider here the experience, of setting up hospital camps providing hands-on healthcare; fighting infection outbreaks and supporting the combat troops in seriously hazardous conditions to the addition of their expertise for the health and safety of forces personnel deployed on major humanitarian roles with challenging situations of conflict, austere conditions and extreme situations. These operations are not immune to the same risks experienced in civilian life but have added environment risks alongside the consequences of war - balancing the health risks against the targets of the mission.

The roles include environmental health practitioners who have a vital role in protecting and maintaining healthy conditions - charged with ensuring military effectiveness when faced with infections such as malaria, dysentery or typhoid as

There is a climate of optimism for professional cleaning which is predicting a growing trend for the closure of the current year.

The companies interviewed for the annual survey of producers and distributors commissioned

by Afidamp to Cerved have confirmed the results for 2022.

The sales performance for 2022 has been positive for over half of producers. All sectors of the cleaning market have shown this important growth and for 2023 too, the trend should be true for almost 50 per cent of the companies.

The encouraging data is of particular importance especially from the perspective of the market from which they came, characterised by a particularly difficult situation caused by the increase of the price of energy and raw materials and the direction of inflation.

Undoubtedly the activities of raising awareness and spreading of information were important: marketing, exhibitions and customer initiatives were crucial for maintaining the relationship between companies and consumers. These activities obviously had a cost but companies were able to expertly execute them partly by reinvesting company profits, the loyalty of existing customers and the search for new clients.

Not secondary were the expansion of the offer and the role of digital communications which are more and more crucial.

Going into detail, we can state that the overall market of the producers in the cleaning sector last year was estimated to be around €3.9 billion, with important growth in every sector.

Afidamp members, representing over €2 billion turnover,

Lynn Webster, notre correspondante au Royaume-Uni, fait rapport sur le travail des professionnels de l’hygiène des forces armées quand ils ont à intervenir sur les lignes de front.

well as managing health risks when exposed to the like of Ebola and other emerging health threats (pre and post Covid).

Each year the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners recognises and honours the contribution, excellent achievements and going far beyond their duty of environmental practitioners, technicians and officers. These award winners include those in the combined armed forces including the Navy and Royal Air Force as well as Army, including Sea, Royal Marine, Army and RAF cadets At these awards I was privileged to meet a major in this field who highlighted in detail recent deployments which included having to handle an outbreak of Leishmaniasis spread through the protozoa in sand flies. Other examples have included arrangements for the setup of a military hospital and provision of drinking water and water hygiene for troops on the ground to sanitation for operations in a jungle environment.

In areas of war the challenge heightens to ensure prevention of non-battle related injuries do not impact of active resources such as MRSA or through an outbreak of D and V. These are young people mature beyond their years who demonstrate unwavering commitment with some amazing achievements often in difficult conditions. Such life changing experiences set them up with for life skills leadership, in operations and with serious self-motivation. What awesome capabilities they hold and a credit to the professionalism in the cleaning industry.

Die britische Korrespondentin Lynn Webster hebt die Arbeit hervor, die im Militär von Hygieneexperten ausgeführt wird, die für die Reinigung in Frontsituationen verantwortlich sind.

14 | October 2023 | ECJ

Dal Regno Unito, la corrispondente Lynn Webster mette in evidenza il lavoro svolto in ambito militare dai professionisti dell’igiene responsabili per la pulizia in situazioni di prima linea.

Rapportant d’Italie, Anna Garbagna nous fournit des données actuelles sur les produits de propreté professionnelle ressortant d’une enquête menée par Afidamp.

recorded growth of 13 per cent.

Going into further detail, the producers of paper products recorded the highest growth (+19 per cent for a total of €763.8 million), followed by the machines sector (+13 per cent with €589.7 million) and equipment sector (+11 per cent with €78. 3 million). Also on the up were accessories and spare parts for machines (+13 per cent), chemicals (+five per cent), fibres and cloths (+four per cent with €28.7 million).

While the most important figure for turnover was from the paper sector (+26 per cent), the producers of chemicals had the greatest significance in the internal market.

For 2023, research done on the top players associated with Afidamp has shown good forecasts (+ 20.6 per cent for machines, +33 per cent for paper, + 14,8 per cent for chemicals). The only negative forecast is for equipment/ fibres and cloths (-0.3 per cent) which compensates with a total growth of exports of 69 per cent.

The research - which also analysed the distributor sector composed of about 1,630 companies with an estimated global turnover of €2.65 billion - presented a market in which 20 per cent of companies invoiced over five million euros and accounted for more than 60 per cent of the turnover of the sector. Here chemicals lead the market with a share of 43 per cent, followed by machines at 20 per cent and consumables 17 per cent. But the element that surely unites all sectors is confidence in the future and a positive view of what the trend will be in the next few months.

Anna Garbagna berichtet aus Italien über die neuesten Daten zu den Produkten der professionellen Reinigungsbranche des Landes nach einer von Afidamp durchgeführten Umfrage.

Dall’Italia, la corrispondente Anna Garbagna ci riferisce i dati più recenti dei prodotti del settore del cleaning professionale della nazione a seguito di un sondaggio della Afidamp.

LATEST: SWEDEN

Finding an easier way to inclusion ECJ’s Lotte Printz on supported employment (SE) for disabled people in Sweden in the cleaning industry.

The approaches may differ, but all over Europe it’s being discussed how to include people with disabilities in the ordinary labour market. In real jobs in real workplaces with real workmates and real pay.

In Sweden, approximately half a million people, out of a population of 10 million, of which six million are of working age, have some sort of disability; intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, brain injuries, etc. There are no quotas here dictating how many employees with a disability companies should take on, and 200,000 people with a disability are waiting for a chance of a job.

Samhall, a Swedish, government-owned company is the locomotive in this field, providing jobs for the disabled in the cleaning industry, among others.

But more players are needed, Mikael Klein at WiljaGruppen, a government-funded company working with social sustainability and inclusion, believes.

The way forward, says Klein, is to campaign so more companies know what it is about, know they are not on their own, but also revise their views on where to look for candidates. More importantly, perhaps, politicians ought to provide an easier, less bureaucratic, path for employers so they get the right support.

“They should not be expected to do everything on their own. It must be support they can derive benefit from. In our experience, there’s a will, but for a small company, for instance, to dare take on a task like this, expert knowledge must be provided. We have to remember that expert knowledge costs, so that’s why politicians should find the money.

“Just handing over a bag of money to the employers does not work, however. They should not be ‘a helping hand’, rather an Dans son reportage de Suède, Lotte Printz raconte comment une entreprise appuyée par l’État offre des emplois subventionnés à des personnes handicapées.

employer that needs an ordinary job done. And if a disabled employee can work five hours, that should account for 100 per cent and that’s what the employer pays for,” Mikael Klein explains.

Supported employment (SE) it’s called. It does turn the usual approach applied a bit upside down, because it places the disabled at a workplace first and there the employee’s strengths and abilities are mapped out in accordance with the will and wishes of the individual with the help of an expert job coach. One individual is matched with one job coach who stays on throughout and also plays an active part at the workplace helping team leaders, managers and colleagues to find and make the changes necessary for the disabled to be fully functional in line with abilities.

“This process may take years, though. There’s no quick fix. It takes patience and endurance to make this work,” Klein says.

SE was developed in the United States in the 1970s, mainly for people with intellectual disabilities, currently representing 70 per cent of clients at WiljaGruppen, but it also works with other disabled people, people with Aspergers, former criminals or addicts.

Mikael acknowledges, though, that people with intellectual disabilities may not fit in a cleaning job as their ability to assess whether something is clean or needs to be cleaned may be impaired. But cleaning and facilities services companies could have great use of people that bring special abilities or skills to a job, like people with Aspergers, for example.

“We believe that there’s a job for everybody. And it could be at any workplace, in any industry and any profession,” Mikael Klein points out.

It takes will, but paths also need to be cleared.

Aus Schweden berichtet Lotte Printz über ein staatlich finanziertes Unternehmen, das dort unterstützte Arbeitsplätze für behinderte Menschen entwickelt.

Dalla Svezia, la corrispondente Lotte Printz ci informa su una azienda finanziata dal governo che sta sviluppando un programma di occupazione assistita per le persone disabili nello stato.

October 2023 | ECJ |15

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

The next big green ‘thing’ Green cleaning – like most things – is subject to trends. Over the years we have seen companies focusing on various aspects of sustainability including recycling initiatives, carbon footprint reductions, water savings and lowering emissions.

But what is the key sustainability issue of the moment? And how is this likely to change in the future?

The battle against global warming is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, according to Kärcher’s senior corporate sustainability management director Marie Kristin Schmidt. “Companies – as well as countries – need to play their part,” she says. “The fact our resources are finite means the need for eco-friendly products and materials plus resource efficiency in production are also important.”

All sustainability issues are interlinked, she says. “So it is crucial to view and address them holistically,” says Schmidt.

“The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals are an important guideline for us here. Our sustainability strategy makes a specific contribution to most of the SDGs and is structured in three core initiatives.”

Topics such as recycling, the need to reduce emissions and the move towards net zero are all crucial in her view. “At Kärcher we have three core initiatives: Zero Emissions, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle and Social Hero,” she says. “Thus the need for emissions reductions plus a move towards net zero are central topics while enabling a circular economy and social responsibility are other key pillars of our strategy.”

Urgent need Kärcher offers a range of water-saving, energy-efficient and low-emission machines that use recycled materials in their production. The B 110 R ride-on scrubber dryer reduces water consumption by adjusting its water delivery to match driving speed, while the FlexoMate trolley has drawers and buckets made from recycled plastic. And Kärcher’s high-pressure cleaner eco!efficiency mode regulates water temperature and saves energy.

The issue of sustainability has gained

in importance for society, says Losdi’s marketing and communications manager Pau Ortiz.

“Demand for environmentally-friendly products has increased considerably over the past few years, with electric cars and renewable energy being a perfect example,” he said. “Taking action to reduce pollution and over-exploitation is an urgent and much-needed measure today.

“However, a higher level of involvement from the industrial sector is needed in order to offer truly sustainable solutions to the markets.”

Offset carbon footprint Losdi aims to improve production efficiency by creating zero waste, using recycled and recyclable materials and by offsetting its carbon footprint to alleviate climate change.

“We consider these three objectives to be equally necessary for achieving a sustainable growth model and have fully integrated them into our business strategy,” said Ortiz. The company’s Eco-Luxe line of dispensers is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.

Greenspeed marketing executive Rosaliene Verhoef believes the need to transition to a circular economy is one of the most critical sustainability issues today.

“The linear production model in which products are made, used, and disposed of as waste is no longer sustainable,” she said. “Moving towards a circular model where waste is eliminated and where materials are continuously being reused is essential to minimise environmental impact and to create a more sustainable future. But it’s not just about resources – it’s also about the smart handling of energy and water usage.”

Sustainability is a complex topic, she says. “While climate change is undoubtedly a pressing issue we see various interconnected sustainability challenges that require urgent attention,” says Verhoef.

“Water shortages, plastic pollution and the transition towards renewable energy are all critical aspects of the larger sustain-

What is the main focus of companies’ sustainability policies today? And what will be the next big sustainability ‘thing’ as far as cleaning and hygiene companies are concerned? Ann Laffeaty poses these questions.

ability puzzle.

“And addressing these challenges collectively is crucial for creating a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations. We should always stay focused on the health aspect both for people and for the environment.”

Actions such as reducing emissions and carrying out recycling initiatives are also important when striving for net zero, she said. “However, it is crucial that all these measures are strategically planned because recycling alone isn’t the ultimate solution,” she adds. “We’re committed to making our products fit within the circular economy where the primary goal is to prevent waste in the first place. And if waste does arise, we turn to recycling solutions.”

Greenspeed offers a range of Cradle to Cradle-certified detergents based on renewable, plant-based ingredients plus the 100 per cent circular microfibre cloth Re-belle. And its Probio cleaning tabs incorporate plant-based ingredients and are said to eliminate the need for transporting unnecessary water.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly urgent in today’s world, says Verhoef. “As awareness of environmental issues grows, customers, businesses and governments demand more sustainable solutions,” she said. “Developing products and systems that meet stringent sustainability criteria is challenging, but necessary.”

Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of today’s key sustainability issues, says Essity’s sustainability communicaContinued page 20

October 2023 | ECJ | 19

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING The next big green ‘thing’ (continued from page 19) tions director Renee Remijnse. “Many other sustainability issues – such as water shortages and plastic pollution – can be considered to be a subset of biodiversity loss and climate change,” she said.

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” and is increasingly being demanded by users, customers, employees and investors, she says. “Legislation in Europe such as CSRD and the EU Green Deal is also driving action.”

According to Remijnse, ensuring the efficient and circular use of resources along with emissions reductions and recycling all have an important role to play in net zero delivery. “Sustainability is core to everything we do and we have launched a number of initiatives designed to reduce our environmental impact on the planet,” she said. These include new Tork carbonneutral certified dispensers for soap, toilet paper and hand towels and Tork PaperCircle, described as the world’s first recycling service for paper hand towels.

Service provider Cleanology’s commercial director Stephen Lynch agrees that climate change is a standout as the most urgent sustainability issue today.

“Climate change is at the heart of a web of interconnected challenges including loss of biodiversity, pollution, poor health and poverty,” he said.

“Addressing climate change is paramount because it acts as a linchpin that when tackled effectively, can mitigate other sustainability challenges. Transitioning to a low-carbon, sustainable economy not only mitigates climate change but also fosters biodiversity, reduces pollution, improves public health and lifts people out of poverty.”

Essential pillar Recycling has evolved from being a commendable practice to becoming an essential sustainability pillar, according to Lynch. “As we confront the escalating issue of waste management and resource depletion, recycling has become pivotal in conserving natural resources, curbing pollution and reducing the carbon emissions associated with resource extraction and production,” he said.

And the need to reduce emissions and greenhouse gases in particular - has Le nettoyage écologique - comme tant de choses, il a connu diverses tendances au cours des années, marquées par le souci des fabricants de privilégier la durabilité par des initiatives de recyclage, des réductions de l’empreinte carbone et l’abaissement des émissions. Quelles sont les tendances actuelles de la durabilité et quelles en seraient les évolutions futures?

20 | October 2023 | ECJ

become a frontline issue in the battle against climate change, he says. “Governments, businesses and individuals alike are recognising the urgency of transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency and adopting sustainable practices,” he said.

Cleanology’s sustainability initiatives include supplying its operatives with uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles and maintaining an all-hybrid and electric fleet. The company also uses sustainable products and systems including portioncontrolled cleaning solutions and tubeless toilet rolls to reduce waste and storage.

Hylab’s project and product manager Joshua Edwardes shares the general consensus that all sustainability issues are interconnected. “However, climate change is a particularly complex and urgent challenge that eventually affects the whole ecosystem, economies and our society,” he said. “Companies need to minimise their environmental impact and implement sustainable practices across every area of their business to tackle global challenges including climate change, waste, energy efficiency and pollution.”

Hylab places recycling, the need for emissions reductions and a move towards net zero high on its own sustainability agenda. “We have an on-site recycling centre for the recovery and reprocessing of plastic waste and we re-grind and re-use these materials when manufacturing our Myriad Recycled dispenser range,” he said. “And we recover and recycle other waste materials including shrink wrap, plastics cardboard, wooden pallets and electronics in conjunction with specialist recycling partners.”

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most important sustainability issues facing the world today, says GOJO’s UK managing director Chris Wakefield. “It’s clear from the freak weather across Europe this year that something has to change, and fast, to secure the future of our planet,” he said.

“Sustainable thinking is now a fundamental part of how companies behave, trade and grow – and it is expected from end-users too.”

He claims GOJO to be the first company in the hygiene sector to use 100 Die umweltfreundliche Reinigung unterliegt – wie die meisten Dinge – Trends, und im Laufe der Jahre haben wir erlebt, dass sich Unternehmen auf verschiedene Aspekte der Nachhaltigkeit konzentrieren, darunter Recycling-Initiativen, Reduzierung der CO2-Bilanz, Energieeinsparungen und Emissionssenkung. Was liegt heute also bei Nachhaltigkeit im Trend, und wie wird sich dies in Zukunft entwickeln?

per cent post-consumer recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate in its collapsible refill cartridges.

So as challenges evolve and companies re-evaluate their sustainability strategies, what will be the ‘next big green thing’?

Greenspeed’s Rosaliene Verhoef believes it will be a widespread adoption of circular economy practices. “Emphasising durable and recyclable materials that fit within biological or technical cycles will be a major focus for the industry,” she said.

“By embracing circular economy principles we can contribute significantly to sustainability goals and reduce the environmental impact of our products.”

Holistic approach There will be no ‘one thing’ to address, predicts Kärcher’s Marie Kristin Schmidt.

“From our point of view there should always be a holistic approach when it comes to sustainability,” she said. “In other words it is important to deliver products and services that produce as few emission as possible, that are transparent and that are sustainably manufactured under fair conditions and with long service lives.”

Essity’s sustainability communications director Renee Remijnse believes there will be an increased focus on the delivery of commitments to provide a net zero future during the next five to 10 years.

And Losdi’s Pau Ortiz believes new sustainability strategies will need to be sought to help ensure a safe and selfsufficient planet for future generations.

“Our future does not simply depend on reducing negative impacts on our environment, but on reversing them and turning them into a positive impact for society and the environment,” he said.

Hylab’s project and product manager Joshua Edwardes believes the Internet of Things will pay a major part in tomorrow’s next ‘big green thing’. “Connected systems could give rise to predictive maintenance, usage pattern identification and ultimately environmental benefits,” he said. “But in the foreseeable future we will experience a shift towards more sustainable sourcing and an increase in the use of recycled materials with the aim of creating a true sustainability model throughout the whole product lifecycle.”

La pulizia verde, come ogni cosa, è soggetta a tendenze e nel corso degli anni abbiamo visto le imprese concentrate sui vari aspetti della sostenibilità includendo iniziative di riciclo, riduzione dell’impronta carbonica, risparmi di energia e riduzione delle emissioni. Quali sono oggi le tendenze verso la sostenibilità e come si evolveranno in futuro?

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SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

Day to day impacts In the cleaning sector, the benefits of a ‘sustainability first’ approach extend beyond the traditional, more obvious initiatives and touch on day-today machine-related operational impacts. Cost-effective servicing programmes can underpin machine repair, maintenance and reuse to extend working lifespans and ensure machines do not end up in landfill prematurely. John Brill, sales director at Nilfisk, tells us more.

Like all sectors, the cleaning industry is under scrutiny to demonstrate its sustainability credentials. Efficient use of water and chemical volumes, cutting waste and opting for cleaning machine solutions that consume less power and produce fewer harmful emissions, are some of the ways the cleaning sector can contribute to a better and greener future.

But the benefits of a sustainability-first approach extend beyond these factors and touch on day-to-day machine-related operational impacts. Cost-effective servicing programmes to underpin machine repair, maintenance, and reuse to extend working lifespans, ensures machines do not end up in landfill prematurely.

The cleaning industry is not immune to the requirement to act responsibly, with equipment strategies needed to offset the sustainability impact of cleaning activities, but at the same time deliver high performing cleaning solutions.

And companies can take positive steps to ensure that both aims are tackled simultaneously.

They can use advanced cleaning

22 | October 2023 | ECJ

machine technology, together with a sustainably based lifecycle offering, to ensure effective cleaning performance is maintained, but that equipment also makes a progressive contribution to the ongoing sustainability challenge.

Keep machinery working The term ‘sweating assets’ is a familiar refrain for many organisations which may not have the financial headroom to invest in new capital expenditure. For cleaning contractors seeking to reduce cost pressures, build in operational sustainability and maintain service standards, the ability to make machines run as long and as efficiently as possible can be both a practical and strategic answer.

Organisations looking to optimise their cleaning operations, but mindful of the sustainability, cost and labour issues they face, should examine access to incremental efficiency gains across their cleaning responsibilities, including how they maintain or replace current machines, so they continue to perform better for longer before needing to be discarded.

For managers it is frustrating to have to deal with a cleaning machine out of action due to a fault or unplanned maintenance requirement and, as such, keeping machine downtime to a minimum is a key efficiency objective. This can be achieved in several ways: from the specification of diagnostic sensors on cleaning machines that provide prior warnings of potential part failure or undertaking preventative maintenance measures to ensure the machine continues to operate to full capacity.

But if machinery fails, having a strategic back-up plan can help mitigate the impact of downtime and ensure staff continue to be effectively deployed. In such instances, it is imperative the machine is repaired without undue delay and, where necessary, replacement assets are adeptly employed.

To assist in building better resilience and enhance the long-term sustainability of operations, the smart strategic answer is to partner with a manufacturer and

establish a guaranteed service agreement; one that covers an organisation’s entire cleaning machine fleet through a single source contract.

Such contracts promise the practical benefits of asset replacement without delay and create peace of mind thanks to regular maintenance oversight that drastically improves equipment performance, lifespans and diminishes the possibility of the machines simply being considered of no use and thrown away.

Good contracts also ensure a range of options are continuously supported and they perform as and when expected.

Importantly, such agreements are not exclusive to one manufacturer’s product solutions, but are also flexible to cater for other producers’ equipment.

Effective solutions deliver access to skilled technicians to ensure equipment is regularly serviced, benefits from timely repairs, is maintained to the highest standards and delivers optimal performance over the lifecycle of the cleaning machine.

They maximise and protect the value of investments, while also keeping costs under control and offer added value benefits such as documented service records and certified spare parts. They also help make a positive sustainability contribution.

Help with reuse and recycle All machines will eventually come to the end of their working optimisation. At that stage, a key sustainability aspect of machinery deployment is what to do with the solution that needs replacing. Cleaning professionals who no longer need their old machine, or wish to opt for a new purchase could, for example, simply hand it back to the manufacturer as part of a take-back initiative.

In any programme designed to support sustainability aims, the device will be carefully inspected and, if necessary, reprocessed. Subsequently, the machine can be used as a high-quality used device and will avoid being sent to landfill. If damage or wear on the machine is too serious, it can be professionally recycled

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

with all recyclable raw materials removed, and the rest disposed of separately.

Consuming resources sustainably Sustainability ambitions also extend to waste and resource reduction around material use and packaging. A prime example is the use of water and chemical resources that needs to be minimised where possible.

When it comes to floor cleaning for example, smart dosing systems offer tangible economic and effective use of both cleaning chemicals and water and help with lessening the overall environmental impact.

Modern solutions also allow cleaning professionals to adapt exactly to the respective conditions – depending on the type and degree of contamination, different cleaning modes can be activated at the simple push of a button. Through these, the volumes of chemicals, water flow and contact pressure are modified so cleaning is always conducted as intensively as required, but resources used as sparingly as possible.

And the latest technology available also allows water and detergents to be dosed fully automatically. Depending on the speed of the scrubber dryer the cleaning solution can be applied evenly and highly efficiently. Sustainable and economical cleaning of even large areas is possible without any problems.

In addition to floor cleaning, there are other potential resource areas for sustainability gain. For those wishing to dispense with chemical cleaning agents, the use of powerful hot water highpressure cleaners and steam cleaners can be a simple and efficient alternative. With forceful pressure and high temperatures, they remove stubborn dirt and germs.

Energy saving Finally, it is also possible to work more sustainably during the actual cleaning process with sustainable drive systems now becoming increasingly relevant. Available cleaning technology can help the cleaning sector deliver an ongoing, effective, and transformative sustainability contribution, without compromising productivity and results.

Taking a holistic view about all the primary factors - from lifecycle cost, opting for regular servicing and maintenance to support better machine reliability and ongoing performance, as well as optimised resource use - can ensure the industry will continue to play its part in ensuring a better world for all. www.nilfisk.com Dans le secteur de la propreté, les avantage de la « durabilité avant tout » débordent des initiatives traditionnelles et évidentes car ils concernent les effets quotidiens associés à l’exploitation de machines. Le déploiement de programmes d’entretien efficaces portant sur la réparation, la maintenance et la réutilisation de machines peuvent en étendre la vie utile et en prévenir la mise hors service prématurée.

Im Reinigungssektor gehen die Vorteile eines Konzepts der „Nachhaltigkeit an erster Stelle“ über die traditionellen, offensichtlicheren Initiativen hinaus und wirken sich auf den tagtäglichen Maschinenbetrieb aus. Kostengünstige Wartungsprogramme können die Reparatur, Wartung und Wiederverwendung von Maschinen unterstützen, um die Lebensdauer zu verlängern und sicherzustellen, dass Maschinen nicht vorzeitig auf Deponien landen.

Nel settore delle pulizie professionali, i benefici di un approccio “sostenibilità al primo posto” si estendono oltre le iniziative tradizionali e più ovvie e toccano l’impatto operativo giornaliero relativo alle macchine.

Programmi di assistenza convenienti possono sostenere la riparazione, la manutenzione e il riutilizzo delle macchine per estendere la loro durata lavorativa e assicurare che le macchine non finiscano prematuramente dismesse e rottamate.

October 2023 | ECJ | 23

PRODUCTS: SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

• Le projet Plus Que Vert de Diversey entend aider le client à simplifier l’adoption de pratiques de nettoyage plus vertes.

• Les Probio Tabs de Greenspeed sont des pastilles de nettoyage probiotiques à base d’ingrédients végétaux et de probiotiques.

• Les cartouches de recharge du système de diffusion d’ambiance Vibe Pro de Vectair Systems ne contiennent aucun COV et répondent aux normes d’empreinte carbone.

• Filmop a déployé un système pour le calcul de l’impact environnental de ses produits.

• L’European Tissue Symposium (ETS), qui représente les producteurs de papier de soie, a mis au point un Cadre de durabilité.

• Parmi les solutions durables de Vermop figure les couvre-serpillère Green Line et les chariots Equipe fabriqués à 70 % en matières plastiques recyclées.

• Laut Diversey soll das Projekt „More than Green“ den Kunden dabei helfen, den Übergang zu einer nachhaltigeren Reinigung zu vereinfachen.

• Die Probio Tabs von Greenspeed sind probiotische Reinigungstabletten, die auf pflanzlichen Inhaltsstoffen und Probiotika basieren.

• Die Nachfüllpackungen im Beduftungssystem Vibe Pro von Vectair Systems sind frei von VOCs und gemäß der Standards von Carbon Footprint anerkannt.

• Filmop hat ein System zur Berechnung der Umweltauswirkungen seiner Produkte eingeführt.

• Das European Tissue Symposium (ETS), das Tissueproduzenten repräsentiert, hat ein Nachhaltigkeitsrahmenwerk entwickelt.

• Zu den nachhaltigen Lösungen von Vermop gehören die Green Line Moppbezüge und die Reinigungswagen Equipe aus 70 % recyceltem Kunststoff.

• La Diversey afferma che il suo progetto More Than Green mira ad aiutare i clienti a semplificare la transazione verso una pulizia piu verde.

• Probio Tabs della Greenspeed sono tavolette detergenti probiotiche alimentate da ingredienti a base vegetale e probiotici.

• I ricambi del sistema di profumazione dell’aria Vibe Pro della Vectair Systems non contengono VOC (composti organici volatili) e sono approvati Carbon Footprint Standard.

• La Filmop ha implementato un sistema per il calcolo dell’impatto dei suoi prodotti sull’ambiente.

• Il simposio European Tissue Symposium (ETS) che rappresenta I produttori di prodotti in carta ha sviluppato un Quadro di Sostenibilità.

• Fra le soluzioni sostenibili della Vermop ci sono i panni coprimop Green Line e i carrelli Equipe prodotti con il 70% di plastica riciclata.

24 | October 2023 | ECJ

More than green

maintain a natural microbial balance. All these credentials have earned the tablets ECOCERT certification. www.greenspeed.eu

No VOCs Diversey has launched its More Than Green project, an initiative that aims to help customers’ understanding of which are the most sustainable products among its portfolio.

Diversey acknowledges its products’ biggest impact on the environment lies in the use phase so this new project simplifies the transition to greener cleaning practices it says. There are four strict criteria: Greener formulation - products are fully biodegradable and/or made from renewable resources and/or biobased.

Greener packaging - packaging either contains recycled plastic or is 100 per cent recyclable.

Greener certificates - products with certifications from recognised eco-certification schemes.

Greener operations - products engineered to cut energy and water consumption, reduce the need for PPE , offer high concentrations and enable chemical-free cleaning. www.diversey.com

Plant-based Greenspeed’s Probio Tabs are cleaning tablets powered by plant-based ingredients and probiotics. Probiotics, the good kind of bacteria, remove dirt while leaving a lasting layer behind. This layer, says Greenspeed, ensures a deep clean while destroying unpleasant odours.

Probio Tabs are free from harsh chemicals and also eliminate the need for singleuse plastic as they are used in conjunction with a reusable bottle. And after use they continue to purify water and help to

Vibe Pro is the newest aircare system from Vectair Systems, featuring patented precision dosing technology.

Vibe Pro has a patented piston pump that draws an exact dose from a refill each time it sprays.

This means it does not need a pressurised container to push the fluid up from the refill – instead it pulls the fragrance up using the piston pump, providing a metered dose of fragrance.

So there’s no need for pressurised aerosols - non-pressurised refills are simpler to transport, store and recycle. They’re also free of VOCs and Carbon Footprint Standard approved. www.vectairsystems.com

Calculation Manufacturer of buckets, mops and trolleys Filmop has long been proactive in analysis of the potential environmental impacts of its products. And thanks to the Carbon Footprint Systematic Approach the company can quantify the CO2 related to each phase of the lifecycle of its entire range of trolleys.

It has implemented a system for the calculation of the products’ environmental impact based on a systematic approach, in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 14067:2018 standard. An

independent and accredited verification body has certified the system.

Based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the process involves counting the greenhouse gas emissions distributed over the various stages of the product’s life: from the supply of raw materials to production, through transport and use by the consumer to disposal at the end of its life. www.filmop.com

New framework The European Tissue Symposium (ETS), which represents the tissue manufacturing industry, has developed its Sustainability Framework. This is designed to support member companies in balancing their ecological, social and economic actions.

The Framework takes a holistic approach in optimising production and business activities. It identifies six UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and translates them into four fundamental pillars appropriate for the tissue industry: responsible sourcing, sustainable products, resource efficiency and circularity/circular economy. europeantissue.com

Going green

Through its Vermop Goes Green sustainability strategy the company continues to optimise its product portfolio to minimise environmental impact.

Newly launched are Green Line mop covers: four now come in eco-conscious options Basic, Tronic, White-Magic and Brush-Progressive.

The Equipe cleaning trolley is made from over 70 per cent recycled plastic and has earned the Flustix recycled seal. And the Vermop software solution, in combination with networked cleaning tools, enables digitalisation to optimise costs and improve process reliability. www.vermop.com

PRODUCTS: SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

Triple approach Ecolab’s commitment to water and sustainability challenges is rooted in its aim to conserve resources. Its commitments encompass energy-saving initiatives, packaging reduction and CO2 reduction.

The company’s new Rasant Planet mops and Polifix Microclin Planet cloths are made from 100 per cent recycled material, reduce the impact on CO2 up to 33 per cent and water consumption up to 20 per cent compared to non-recycled alternatives.

The Maxx Plus programme, meanwhile, offers highly concentrated products - reducing transportation volumes and waste thanks to its reusable dosing bottles technology.

Maxx S also incorporates Cradle to Cradle and Ecolabel certifications, and products are effective at low concentrations. www.ecolab.com

Fully integrated

Numatic says a sustainable approach is integrated throughout its operations - from design to manufacturing, distribution and when in use.

Used in a wide range of products, its environmentally sustainable ReFlo Technology uses the highest quality recycled plastics that would have otherwise been diverted to landfill or incineration. ReFlo Technology was first introduced to the company’s VersaCare Janitorial Range, then more recently the CleanCare vacuum range and soon also the FloorCare scrubber dryer range in the NX300 Pro Cordless Battery Network.

Numatic has also achieved SCS

Recycled Content Certification - confirming products contain a minimum of 50 per cent recycled plastics - for its ReFlo produced trolley ranges.

And the Eco ReFlo vacuum range boasts 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption thanks to the 420W high efficiency motor. numatic.com

vacuum cleaner 1.425 kg of new plastic is saved and CO2 emissions as well as water consumption are minimised. The recycled plastic is manufactured from waste material arising during the production process, for example rejects, offcuts and excess. So the amount of waste going to landfill is reduced. www.karcher.com

Paper bottle

Certified magic

Start-up BioVate Hygienics has launched a plastic-free paper bottle for commercial cleaning solutions. Made using sustainably sourced vegetable waste fibre paper pulp, no trees are cut down in its production and the materials it’s made from would otherwise be discarded.

The bottle’s interior features a bio liner that protects the inside, preventing contact with BioVate’s liquid cleaning products. This coating is made from natural pure plant sap latex while the outer case is infused with natural seaweed extract for added water resistance to help break down the paper fibres quicker, if composted.

The paper can be easily pulped in most recycling centres and the natural coating comes away and is used within the organic waste stream for composting.

The bottle has been designed to be recyclable or compostable, while its screw neck and cap are made of Moso Bamboo that breaks down easily and can also be recycled. www.biovatehygienics.com

The Magic range from TTS is made up of EU Ecolabel-certified trolleys. Designed to be sustainable throughout their entire life cycle, they are made from at least 30 per cent recycled plastic and are easily disassembled for repair or recycling at the end of their life. They are also produced without the use of heavy metals harmful to humans and dangerous to ecosystems.

Magic trolleys are also made with recycled plastic components certified PSV - Plastic Second Life. TTS has actually been using premium recycled plastic since 2012, a low-impact material that maintains traditional colours while guaranteeing the same efficiency, robustness and durability of products made from virgin polypropylene. www.ttsystem.com

Recycled plastic

Commitment

Kärcher’s latest professional dry vacuum cleaner - the T 11/1 Classic HEPA Re!Plast - is made of 60 per cent recycled plastic.

It also has a HEPA 14 filter that removes 99.95 per cent of all particles with a diameter from 0.1 to 0.3 micrometres. Which makes it suitable for use in hygienically sensitive areas.

During the production of each

IPC by Tennant Company says it offers numerous cleaning solutions to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. It is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 so plans to make deep emissions cuts across its operations and value chain.

Certifications include ISO 14067-compliant carbon footprint analysis that measures greenhouse gas emissions throughout a product’s life cycle and REMADE in Italy which quantifies the amount of recycled materials used in products. www.ipcworldwide.com

• Dans son développement de produits, Ecolab privilégie la conservation de ressources par le recyclage, la réutilisation et la réduction de la consommation de matières.

• En adoptant sa technologie ReFlo, Numatic utilise des matières plastiques recyclées de haute qualité dans la fabrication de ses outils et machines de nettoyage.

• BioVate Hygienics a développé une bouteille en papier exempte de matières plastiques pour ses nettoyants liquides.

• Le T 11/1 Classic HEPA Re!Plast de Kärcher, est un aspirateur fabriqué à 60 pour cent en matières plastiques recyclées.

• La gamme des chariots Magic de TTS comprend des chariots écolabellisés UE et certifiés PSV. • IPC, membre du groupe Tennant, possède un certain nombre d’homologations confirmant son statut en matière de durabilité.

• Ecolab ist bestrebt, Ressourcen durch den Ansatz Recycling, Wiederverwendung und Reduzierung bei der Produktentwicklung zu schonen.

• Bei der ReFlo-Technologie von Numatic werden hochwertige recycelte Kunststoffe in den Reinigungswerkzeugen und -maschinen des Unternehmens eingesetzt.

• BioVate Hygienics hat eine plastikfreie Papierflasche für seine flüssigen Reinigungsprodukte entwickelt.

• Der Staubsauger T 11/1 Classic HEPA Re!Plast von Kärcher besteht zu 60 % aus recyceltem Kunststoff.

• Die Produktreihe Magic mit Reinigungswagen von TTS umfasst mit dem EUUmweltzeichen zertifizierte Reinigungswagen, die auch PSVzertifiziert sind.

• IPC von Tennant Company verfügt über eine Reihe von Zertifizierungen, die seine Nachhaltigkeit bestätigen.

• La Ecolab cerca di conservare le risorse mediante l’approccio di riciclo, riutilizzo e riduzione nello sviluppo dei suoi prodotti.

• ReFlo Technology della Numatic utilizza plastica riciclata di alta qualità per la produzione di attrezzi e macchine dell’azienda.

• La BioVate Hygienics ha sviluppato un flacone per i suoi detergenti liquidi in carta senza plastica.

• L’aspirapolvere T 11/1 Classic HEPA Re!Plast della Kärcher è prodotto con il 60% di plastica riciclata.

• La gamma di carrelli Magic della TTS include carrelli certificati EU Ecolabel che sono anche certificati PSV. • IPC della Tennant Company ha numerose certificazioni che confermano le sue credenziali di sostenibilità.

October 2023 | ECJ | 25

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING

The answer to net-zero?

Many companies are turning to Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) as a way of effectively managing, and guaranteeing reduction of, their Scope 2 greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Oriol Margo, Kimberly-Clark’s sustainability transformation leader for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, tells us more.

The science is clear: in a world grappling with climate change, we must aim for net-zero if we are to have any chance of staying within the agreed limit of average global temperatures rising no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. That means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount removed or offset, resulting in no net increase in emissions.

Businesses across all sectors know they must act. Yes, there is an ethical obligation for companies to use their influence and power to reduce their impact on global warming. But achieving net-zero has become a strategic necessity that has the power to foster innovation as firms re-evaluate their operations, invest in clean technologies, and adopt sustainable practices. This drive for innovation not only reduces GHG emissions, but also enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and stimulates economic growth.

Regulatory pressure is mounting, and many governments around the world are implementing stricter environmental regulations and carbon pricing mechanisms. Businesses that proactively go net-zero are better positioned to adapt to the changing legislative landscape, avoidDans un monde en pleine lutte contre le changement climatique, il sera crucial de stabiliser totalement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre pour faire plafonner la montée des températures moyennes de la planète à 1,5°C. Il s’agira donc de neutraliser ces émissions vers l’atmosphère par la suppression ou la compensation de volumes correspondants d’émissions afin que leur augmentation nette soit égale à zéro.

26 | October 2023 | ECJ

ing financial penalties and the associated reputational damage.

Despite the number of companies that have set a net-zero target continuing to increase, there are real concerns most goals to reach net-zero are not supported by plans or strategies to meet them.

The GHG emissions associated with bringing products and services to market – regardless of sector – can be linked to three ‘buckets’ of activity. First, there’s the pollution created when making things in factories and facilities, or the exhaust fumes of trucks and vans being run by a company, known as Scope 1 emissions.

Then there is the impact of the electricity and power a company buys to power its operations (Scope 2).

Then there’s everything else: the GHGs created by the suppliers that produce the various components that make up a product and the carbon impact of consumers using and disposing of products at the end of the chain. For most companies, socalled Scope 3 emissions account for more than 70 per cent of their footprint.

Scope 2 challenges Having addressed the GHGs it can directly control, within its Scope 1 emissions, companies quickly set about tackling Scope 2 – the indirect GHGs connected to the production of purchased electricity. But there are challenges. The biggest issue lies in the fact businesses often have limited control over the energy sources used by their electricity providers. Transitioning to cleaner energy can be difficult, especially in countries where renewable energy options are limited, and the grid relies heavily on fossil fuels. In some regions, there may be a lack of government incentives or supportive policies In einer Welt, die mit dem Klimawandel zu kämpfen hat, müssen wir Net Zero anstreben, wenn wir eine Chance haben wollen, innerhalb der vereinbarten Grenze des globalen Durchschnittstemperaturanstiegs von nicht mehr als 1,5 Grad Celsius zu bleiben. Das bedeutet, dass zum Ausgleich der Menge von in die Atmosphäre abgegebenen Treibhausgase (THG) eine entsprechende Menge entfernt oder per Klimakompensation ausgeglichen werden muss, sodass es zu keiner Nettoerhöhung der Emissionen kommt.

to encourage businesses to transition to cleaner energy sources. Without financial incentives, the business case for reducing Scope 2 emissions is not very compelling.

Many companies are turning to Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) as a way of effectively managing, and guaranteeing reduction of, their Scope 2 GHGs.

What are PPAs? PPAs are contractual agreements between electricity buyers and sellers, typically used in the renewable energy sector. In a PPA, companies agree to buy a specified amount of electricity from a renewable energy project, such as a wind farm or solar installation, at an agreedupon price and over a defined period. This might be several years, or even decades.

PPAs work because companies get to purchase a consistent and predictable amount of clean energy that is aligned to their sustainability goals. And the energy sector gets a guaranteed sale over a set period of time. Plus, by locking in a fixed price for the clean electricity, companies are able to hedge against future energy price fluctuations, providing budget certainty and potentially reducing overall energy costs.

PPAs are growing in popularity all around the world. The global PPA market, which is currently valued at US$20.1 billion, is set to grow by almost 40 per cent a year between now and 2031. In the pursuit of a net-zero future and the critical task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, PPAs are emerging as a beacon of hope. Scope 2 emissions often escape a company’s direct control, making the transition to cleaner energy fraught with challenges. The growing popularity of PPAs signifies their potential to drive change.

In un mondo alle prese con il cambiamento climatico, si deve puntare alle emissioni zero se si vuole avere la possibilità di rimanere entro il limite concordato di temperature medie globali in rialzo non maggiore di 1,5 gradi centigradi. Questo significa bilanciare la quantità di gas a effetto serra (GHG) emessi nell’atmosfera con una quantità equivalente di gas eliminati o compensati senza un aumento netto delle emissioni.

CARBON FOOTPRINT SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

-30% ISO 14067:2018

QUALITY

What determines quality?

What defines quality of cleaning, what do we want to achieve by cleaning and what exactly determines cleaning quality?

Paul Harleman, global application manager for Vileda Professional, addresses these key questions.

We need to clean the world we live in.

Since humans have settled down and are not, like animals in the wild, moving from one spot to the other every day, the need to clean the places where we live, work and relax is there. That is basically the origin of the need for cleaning. Whether we do it ourselves or have it done by others, we have to keep our habitat clean in order to survive on the long term. And the quality of the cleaning should be good.

How good depends on the risks that are involved if we don’t do it as well as it should be.

That, by the way, also determines to a large degree the amount of money we are willing to spend on cleaning. A cleanroom environment needs to be perfectly clean or else there will be very costly failures.

Medicines will be polluted and people might die or, electronic parts like microchips are damaged with dust and must be thrown away. On the opposite side, if we do a bad cleaning job in an office, it will be annoying but not create disasters.

What is cleaning quality?

I looked for definitions and the one I like most is “the level of the desired cleanliness achieved but also the effectiveness of a cleaning process”. So cleaning quality relates to the result and the operation of cleaning itself. When we clean, we remove unwanted substances like dust and stains from the surface (aesthetic cleaning). But what we also want to remove or reduce are micro-organisms, specifically those that are pathogenic (hygienic cleaning).

28 | October 2023 | ECJ

Sometimes there is even the need for killing the germs. In that case the main purpose is not cleaning but disinfecting, two terms that are often mixed up. Surprisingly also by professionals.

ber, for example, how it feels when you come home and your cleaning person has made everything clean and tidy. It feels good, sort of relaxing.

What do we want to achieve?

There are many variables that determine the quality of cleaning. Let’s start with the basic ones.

Time - If a cleaner does not get the time to do the job, the quality of the cleaning will be lower. It is as simple as that. A child can tell you. But still, we see that cleaners have to clean a patient room in just a couple of minutes which of course can never deliver the result that we would like to have.

Cleaning chemicals - In many situations cleaning with high quality microfibre and water only is good enough. However, there are also situations where a sufficient chemical is needed or delivering the extra mile in the cleaning result. And of course using the right chemical for the job, not just what is available at the location.

Equipment - Machines and utensils are needed to clean properly. Not just anything you can buy but good quality, professional equipment. In order to reduce costs, I see professional cleaners working with household products too many times.

Household products are good, but not designed for professional cleaning. Think about durability, sustainability, ergonomics, easy to work with, safe in use and the kind of variables that determine what is good and what is just acceptable.

Temperature - Temperature can influence the quality of cleaning but it can also have a negative impact. If you try to remove blood stains with hot water the result will be bad because blood contains proteins that solidify due to heat. Another common mistake is also that cleaners use hot water solutions to clean floors and interior surfaces. The effect of the heat is instantly reduced to almost zero the moment the mop or cloth touches the cold surface. Plus the fact that bacteria generally reproduce faster in warm, wet conditions. Something we don’t want, specifi-

There are a several reasons why we clean our environment, and it is not only about making it look nice again. Without having the intention to have a complete list, I would say: • To keep the environment and objects visually attractive (aesthetic cleanliness) • To prevent rapid deterioration of surfaces and objects (eg, sand on wooden floors causes severe damage) • To get rid of a bad smell • To reduce the load of micro-organisms on the surface (hygienic cleanliness).

Fewer pathogenic micro-organisms means less contamination risk. Also think about removing biofilms. Sometimes, after cleaning, disinfection is prescribed • To prevent a rapid increase of the dirt level.

A dirty environment tends to become dirtier at a faster rate. Although the rate of dirt accumulation may be complex and influenced by various factors there are some theories backed up with scientific research that explain this phenomenon: “The broken windows theory” (visible signs of disorder can signal a lack of social control and encourage further disorder), “Normalisation of dirt” (the presence of dirt can act as a social cue, normalising untidiness and reducing the inclination to clean) and “Diffusion of responsibility” (Multiple people using the environment may assume that someone else will take care of the cleaning which can lead to neglect and dirt accumulation).

• To reduce negative psychological impacts on health and well-being. A clean environment reduces stress and anxiety, improves focus and productivity, enhances mood and well-being, increases motivation and goal-setting and improves a health and hygiene perception. Remem-

What determines cleaning quality

QUALITY

cally not in healthcare environments.

The the perceptive reader has seen that the above four factors represent the Sinner’s Circle(1). But there are more.

Education - Everybody can clean but not everybody can clean professionally.

That needs education. And not once, but repetitive, something that is very often neglected. Besides that, I am very much in favour of “evidence based cleaning”. What you do and what you teach should be independently proven to be the best. Many times I run into practices where I doubt if it is really the best way to do it. Professional cleaning has a lot of “this is how it should be done because we have always done it this way”. Experience is good but evidence is better.

Compliance with up-to-date guidelines and standards - Guidelines and standards help to achieve a desired cleaning quality in a uniform way. They should clearly mention what the desired output should be, how to execute it and the frequency. Not generally, but in detail.

Behaviour - This is a very interesting element influencing cleaning quality. The percentage of labour costs typically account for a significant portion of the total costs, often ranging from 50 per cent to 80 per cent. Clearly it means that human influence is important. And that not only counts for the influence on total costs of a cleaning activity, but also dominates the quality.

Invisibility results from the way cleaning generally is organised in organisations and society. The cleaning sector has always focused on efficiency and invisibility helps to achieve this. Cleaning is Dirty Work (Hughes 1951, Ashford & Kreiner 1999).

“Dirty work is work that needs to be done, but which, for some reason, is not popular. Society therefore stigmatises the dirty worker. The dirty work stigma contributes to keeping the dirty worker at a distance; by doing so society manages its dirty work.”

In addition, organisations tend to pay relatively little attention and resources to cleaning work because it does not contrib-

ute directly to the success of the organisation (Morgan,1992). In a recent interview I had with an American EVS (Environmental Services) manager, this issue also came up. Her response to management was that while cleaning does not contribute to profitability, you should realise that poor cleaning can negatively impact profitability.

Very true if you realise what the costs of outbreaks in hospitals are.

Many more things can be said about the importance of human behaviour and the variables that influence behaviour. It looks like behaviour is the most important variable and therefore deserves more attention and research if we want to improve and maintain the quality of cleaning.

When AI, quantum computers and other upcoming technologies become more and more integrated, professional cleaning will be seriously affected as well. We only just started with robots in cleaning but who knows what will happen in the future?

However, as long as humans are heavily involved in the cleaning operation, it is worthwhile considering to invest in tools that positively motivate people to do what they have to do in a way that is professional and proven to be effective.

(1) Sinner circle: https://orapiasia.com/roleof-sinners-circle-in-cleaning-performance/ (2) Hegel’s concept of recognition : https:// philpapers.org/archive/IKHHCO.pdf

Was definiert die Qualität der Reinigung, was wollen wir mit der Reinigung erreichen und was genau bestimmt die Reinigungsqualität? Paul Harleman, Global Application Manager bei Vileda Professional, beantwortet diese wichtigen Fragen.

Cosa definisce la qualità delle pulizie e cosa si vuole ottenere pulendo, e cosa determina esattamente la qualità della pulizia? Paul Harleman, gestore delle applicazioni mondiale per la Vileda Professional, risponde a queste domande chiave.

Netherlands did some interesting scientific research (Ik zie, ik zie, wat jij niet ziet/I see, I see, what you don’t see, 2017). Main insights taken away from this research influencing behaviour are: “Cleaners are suffering from the fact that they are invisible. This invisibility sometimes means that cleaners literally are not seen by others, and often this invisibility comes down to a lack of recognition.” Drawing upon Hegel’s concept of recognition(2) this invisibility is defined as not being seen in a literal sense or not being recognised for who you are and what you do.

Little attention

Behaviour makes the difference The behaviour of cleaning staff, operators and supervisors, is crucial for achieving and maintaining cleaning quality.

Attitude, true involvement and work ethic significantly impact the overall cleanliness of an environment. That is for sure a very important insight to realise. In the first place, behaviour is of course influenced by the other drivers. If there is no time to clean, no education, low quality equipment and guidelines are not available, the cleaner will suffer. And when people suffer, they will behave differently. If management “don’ care”, then why should they care?

Cleaning is a very interesting and challenging industry, but for those who actually have to clean it might not be as interesting and exiting as we want to believe. Dr Jorcho van Vlijmen from the

Comment définir la qualité du nettoyage et que cherche-t-on à obtenir dans cette activité ? Paul Harleman, directeur mondial des applications chez Vileda Professional, se penche sur les facteurs clés de ce dossier.

October 2023 | ECJ | 29

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WASHROOM DISPENSERS

Design versus function When visiting a public washroom we users expect the soap and paper dispensers to work – and to work efficiently.

If multiple button-pushes are required to access the soap, for example, or if we are obliged to fiddle around inside the toilet tissue dispenser to find the end of the paper, we will quickly become frustrated and impatient. And we will also expect the soap and paper supply to be continuous since any run-outs will only further exacerbate our irritation.

However, most of us like our awayfrom-home washroom environment to be attractive and aesthetically pleasing as well. But can functionality be combined with attractiveness? Will an elegant, slimline dispenser inevitably run out more quickly than a larger unit? And will the shiniest of casings show up fingermarks in a way that their more utilitarian counterparts will not?

It is important to consider the role of the washroom in question when discussing attractiveness versus functionality, says Kimberly-Clark’s industrial design engineer Eric Chalko.

“The goal when designing any washroom is to create an environment that feels safe, hygienic and free from distraction,” he said. “So the dispensers should fit within the space without creating any negative effect. In some cases that might mean they should be attractive and eyecatching whereas in others the dispensers need to be secondary to the interior design - and simply serve to complement the environment.”

Aesthetics are more than merely a matter of looking attractive, he said. “As humans we tend to respond subconsciously before formulating our conscious opinions, and that initial reaction has a huge effect on our perception of a product,” he said.

“Aesthetics influence users’ feelings towards product quality and reliability which can make us feel cared for and ultimately valued. And they demonstrate that a facility is willing to invest in quality while also showing that they are not prepared to set-

tle for a sub-par customer experience.”

Despite being behind closed doors, a tired-looking washroom will create a negative impression on staff and visitors, says Chalko. “By choosing modern, innovative and stylish dispensers a washroom manager will provide an uplifting experience for users.”

But attractiveness is context-dependent, he adds. “What is considered attractive in one setting may appear to be flashy, overly-luxurious or attentiongrabbing in another.”

Functionality crucial And functionality should be considered first and foremost, he adds. “The product design should make the process of using it as smooth and seamless as possible because aesthetics have no true meaning if a unit doesn’t work.”

Kimberly-Clark’s Icon dispenser collection offers multiple signature faceplate designs and a range of bespoke options.

These include Ebony Woodgrain faceplates for high-end washrooms and White Mosaic units which are designed to create an impression of hygiene. The dispensers are also said to feature an intuitive control panel, servicing cues and a jam-free performance.

Washroom dispensers reflect the level of care a facility offers to its customers, says Essity’s communications director Jenny Turner. “As the lines between the traditional B2B and B2C worlds begun to blur, purchasing and facility managers have higher expectations of design and aesthetics than ever before,” she said.

“As a result the purely functional but unattractive dispenser is no longer an acceptable compromise.”

All dispensers should be aesthetically pleasing, easy to use and hygienic – wherever they happen to be, she says. “The environment should have no impact on the attractiveness of a dispenser because a high quality and well-designed unit will impart a sense of professionalism, care and hygiene upon any facility,” said Turner.

Design and functionality are not mutu-

Is it possible for a washroom dispenser to combine an attractive design with high functionality, asks ECJ? Or does there always need to be a compromise?

ally exclusive - and they should go hand in hand in the development stage, she says.

“A good design is about more than simply manufacturing an aesthetically pleasing object, since we are not in the business of creating beautiful fine art sculptures,” she says. “Ensuring that the dispenser is ergonomic, intuitive, easy to use and quick to operate is all part of the design.

So we develop our dispensers to consider all functional and operational needs as well as ensuring that they are aesthetically pleasing.”

She claims design and function are successfully paired in Essity’s Tork Image Design Line and Tork Elevation dispensers which feature curved lines with no sharp edges or corners. Tork Image Design Line units have a slimline design that combine brushed stainless steel fascias with a black trim.

Feel and image Aesthetically-pleasing dispensers are becoming more important than ever in today’s washrooms, says Hagleitner product manager Dominik Hadjiyski. “The design of the dispenser contributes to the feel and image of a washroom and will influence the end-user’s impression of the facility,” he said. “And the more attractive a dispenser, the more likely it is to be used.

This is particularly important in hospitals, restaurants and in other public places.”

Like Turner he believes functionality and design should go hand in hand. “The design should complement the functionality – but the functionality is paramount,” Continued page 32

October 2023 | ECJ | 31

WASHROOM DISPENSERS Design versus function (continued from page 31)

he adds.

Using a dispenser should be a smooth process and the unit should require minimal servicing, he said. “The design – both inside and out – plays a pivotal role.”

Hagleitner dispensers are said to be appealing to look at and easy to clean. They are available in black and white and have the option of customised side panels.

GOJO’s UK and Ireland managing director Chris Wakefield agrees that a stylish dispenser will enhance the image of an establishment. “However, attractiveness needs to be integrated with functionality, intuitiveness and ease of maintenance since a beautiful dispenser serves no purpose if it’s difficult to operate or is empty,” he says.

“It makes sense for washroom dispensers to match their surroundings in upmarket hotels and restaurants. But function trumps attractiveness in hospitals where speed of use and easy maintenance are key. And in environments such as construction sites, garages, workshops, and factories it is more important that dispensers are robust and sturdy.”

GOJO’s Purell dispensers are described as being ergonomically designed and easy to clean and refill.

Washroom dispensers should provide a perfect blend of functionality, innovation, sustainability and style according to Hylab’s product and project manager Que font les fabricants pour assurer le caractère pratique et fonctionnel de leurs distributeurs tout en les dotant d’une attractivité suffisante pour rehausser l’environnement de toilettes publiques ? Se peut-il que les modèles luisants et effilés se vident plus rapidement de leur contenu et affichent davantage de traces d’utilisation que les modèles plus pesants et utilitaires ? Et peut-on aujourd’hui combiner un design agréable et un haut degré de fonctionnalité ?

32 | October 2023 | ECJ

High-end dispensers should be designed with the same level of practicality and durability as any other system, according to Edwardes. “For example, our Milano range combines a sleek satin aluminium design with an anti-fingerprint finish,” he said.

JVD’s chief marketing officer Simon Pienne believes aesthetics to be more important in some environments than in others. “An attractive washroom dispenser can contribute to a more pleasant overall experience in places where ambience is key such as in upscale restaurants, hotels and retail spaces,” he said. “And if the es-

tablishment is focused on building a strong image, then well-designed dispensers that match the company’s visual identity will reinforce brand consistency and leave a positive impression on customers.”

While aesthetics matter, durability and functionality should never be compromised, he adds. “An attractive dispenser should still be sufficiently robust to withstand the rigours of everyday use,” said Pienne. “It’s essential to strike a balance between design and practicality to ensure that the dispenser fulfils its primary function effectively.”

He claims the company’s Yaliss Jumbo 400 toilet paper dispenser and Zigzag soap dispenser are both elegant and robust. “While stainless steel is expensive, black plastic is more affordable and just as stylish,” he points out.

But at the end of the day, how practical are the more aesthetically-pleasing dispensers on the market? Will they inevitably be less robust and easier to vandalise than their uglier counterparts? And will they require more frequent refilling and be quicker to show knocks and marks than more utilitarian alternatives? Our commentators refute this.

“Well-designed dispensers are no less practical than functional units,” says Essity’s Jenny Turner. “And they present no disadvantages as far as vandalism, frequency of refilling or surface finish are concerned. These challenges are taken into consideration during the development stage and a solution is found to address them.”

The more attractive a dispenser, the more likely it is to be well looked after, adds Hagleitner’s Dominik Hadjiyski. “Our dispensers are designed to be elegant – but also practical, robust and able to withstand excessive stress and frequent use in high-traffic areas,” he says.

And Kimberly-Clark’s Eric Chalko agrees that a good dispenser can easily combine attractiveness with high capacity and a robust casing. “Aesthetics and functionality need to work together to enable a dispenser to meet its full potential,” he said.

“A clean, purposeful design - when paired with excellent functionality - creates a recipe for a successful product.”

Wie stellen Hersteller sicher, dass ihre Spender nicht nur praktisch und zweckmäßig, sondern gleichzeitig auch attraktiv genug sind, um Waschräume zu verbessern? Sind die glänzendsten, schlanksten Spender schneller leer und zeigen Sie schneller Fingerabdrücke als die klobigeren, zweckmäßigeren Einheiten? Und ist es tatsächlich möglich, ein ästhetisch ansprechendes Design mit hoher Zweckmäßigkeit zu kombinieren?

Come fanno i produttori a essere certi che i loro dispenser siano pratici e funzionali e allo stesso tempo siano belli da vedere per migliorare l’ambiente dei bagni? I modelli più brillanti e slimline tendono a essere i primi a svuotarsi e a essere coperti da impronte delle dita in confronto ai modelli più massici e più funzionali e di uso comune? Ed è infatti possibile combinare un design esteticamente attraente con un’elevata funzionalità?

Joshua Edwardes. “Aesthetics can enhance a washroom’s image and promote a cleaner, more valued space,” he said. “And an appealing dispenser will encourage proper usage, reinforce brand identity and contribute to a positive user experience.”

Functionality and design are both essential in a dispenser, he says. “The right balance between the two is crucial, but functionality remains paramount to ensure that a dispenser fulfils its intended purpose,” said Edwardes. “A dispenser should be ergonomic, intuitive, easy to use and quick to operate to provide a seamless and convenient user experience.”

Hylab’s in-house design team works with the company’s quality control and manufacturing teams to offer tailored solutions for customers.

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PRODUCTS: WASHROOM DISPENSERS

• Différents distributeurs Tork de savon, papier hygiénique et serviettes pour toilettes publiques ont été homologués en tant que neutres en carbone.

• La gamme Obsidian de distributeurs sanitaires de Kennedy Hygiene est fabriquée à partir de plastique recyclé.

• La gamme Ecoline de la société Hylab aligne une sélection de distributeurs de savon et serviettes.

• Eine Reihe von Tork Waschraumspendern für Seife, Toilettenpapier und Handtücher wurden als CO2-neutral zertifiziert.

• Die Waschraumspender der Obsidian-Reihe von Kennedy Hygiene werden aus recyceltem Kunststoff hergestellt.

• Hylab bietet eine Auswahl an Seifen- und Papierspendern in der Produktreihe Ecoline.

• Numerosi dispenser di sapone, carta igienica e asciugamani per sale da toilette della Tork sono stati certificati a impatto climatico zero.

• La gamma Obsidian di dispenser per servizi igienici di Kennedy Hygiene è realizzata in plastica riciclata.

• La Hylab propone una selezione di dispenser di sapone e asciugamani in carta nella sua gamma Ecoline.

34 | October 2023 | ECJ

Carbon neutral A number of key Tork washroom dispensers for soap, toilet tissue and hand towels have now been certified as carbon neutral. And manufacturer Essity is reducing and compensating for carbon emissions for the entire life cycle of those dispensers.

Certified products include the Tork SmartOne Toilet Paper Dispenser; the Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser; the Tork Coreless Midsize toilet paper system and Tork soap dispensers.

Essity has already reduced carbon emissions for several dispensers by using certified renewable electricity during their production. In order to reach

carbon neutral the company is now offsetting the remaining carbon emissions with investments in certified climate projects with ClimatePartner. A total of 27 Tork dispensers are now certified carbon neutral. www.tork.co.uk

than virgin ABS. All models are designed to optimise consumable consumption and are packaged using 75 per cent recycled cardboard.

Responsibly sourced consumables are also available. kennedy-hygiene.com

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The Ecoline range of dispensers from Hylab is designed to accommodate a variety of soap and paper formats. Produced in polypropylene, it’s also more environmentally responsible due to the reduced CO2 emission in the production process.

Soap dispensers come in a range of sizes, with a permanent pump that works with any liquid hand soap, to ensure efficient dispensing. Hand towel dispensers also come in different sizes, with a flexible design to enable delivery of different paper types.

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BUSINESS: LATE PAYMENT

Can new rules tackle late payments?

Legislators are having another crack at reining in businesses that delay paying supplier invoices. The European Commission admits the current late payment directive is “ineffective” … but will the new rules work any better this time round? Hartley Milner asks.

It’s the stuff of cash flow nightmares, it inhibits investment, drives smaller companies to insolvency and has defied all efforts to stamp it out. Late payment remains endemic across west Europe and has an especially debilitating impact on small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that account for more than half of the region’s gross domestic product.

Commission figures show: • More than 60 per cent of businesses are not paid promptly • One in four bankruptcies are down to invoices not being paid on time • Chasing late payments costs EU businesses €275 billion a year – more than the total GDP of Finland – and there is a domino effect with each overdue payment causing four others • 20 per cent of businesses view payment delays as a barrier to their green transition • 900,000 jobs could be created in the public sector if payments were on time.

36 | October 2023 | ECJ

Harder to quantify is the toll on SMB owners of not knowing when an invoice debt will be honoured, if at all, and the cash flow anxieties the uncertainty causes.

Many employers tell surveys they have sacrificed their own salary in a bid to keep their company solvent, remortgaged or sold their home, or cut back on making family spending commitments. Mental health impacts reported include sleepless nights, mood swings, loss of self-esteem, depression and, in extreme situations, suicidal thoughts.

High inflation, geopolitical tensions and rising borrowing costs have created a tough year for businesses in Europe over the past 12 months. Amid decreasing profits and financial stress, many companies delayed or halted their investment plans, focusing instead on cushioning liquidity impacts, a poll by trade credit insurance provider Atradius shows.

The result was a significant deterioration in B2B customer payment behaviour and a larger volume of unpaid invoices.

Currently in the EU, public authorities must pay invoices within 30 days.

Businesses have up to 60 days to settle their debts, or later if they can agree terms with suppliers. However, Atradius finds that the volume of late B2B payments

increased by an average of 20 per cent over the past year, with payment delays affecting 49 per cent of all sales.

Suppliers had to wait an average of 73 days to collect payment. The level of bad debts written off as uncollectable was maintained at an average of six per cent of all invoiced B2B sales.

Afraid of damaging relations Suppliers can claim interest and compensation on overdue payments, but rarely do so for fear of provoking the ire of the client, particularly if they are crucial to a healthy bottom line. “Indeed, they are too afraid of damaging their trade relations,” says employer group SMEunited. “In addition, they are often the weaker partner in a contract.”

The core change in the new payment proposals drawn up by the European Commission sees the directive elevated to a regulation. The 30-day period for B2B payments will become the absolute maximum, “eliminating ambiguities and closing legal gaps” in the current directive. Critically, the changes ensure automatic payment of accrued interest and compensation if payments run into arrears, and blocks larger companies from ‘bullying’ smaller ones into accepting

BUSINESS: LATE PAYMENT

their payment terms. The Commission prescribes a “robust enforcement framework” to ensure compliance with the measures.

A welcome knock-on benefit for business managers is the time they spend chasing debtors will be significantly reduced, collectively saving them 340 million hours a year, equal to €8.74 billion for the entire EU economy. The Commission is also keen for SMBs to use digital tools to help them get paid faster.

The regulation will harmonise payment regimes across the EU in key areas such as payment verification procedures, the rate of interest charged on overdue payments and the amount of flat fee compensation, the Commission says. For their part, member states will be required to set up prompt payment enforcement authorities with the flexibility to bring in more stringent actions of their own.

Public sector bodies will be reined in as well where abuses of their 30day payment deadline exist. “No more exceptions for the public sphere,” said Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market. In addition, companies that have public contracts will need to submit proof they have paid their own subcontractors on time. Payment delays can lead to SMBs paying invoices late, pushing the problem down the entire value chain.

More resilient “It has really been a nightmare to harmonise this,” said Breton, explaining the complexities of reforming the failed directive. “Our ambitious revision of the late payment rules will create a fairer business environment for small businesses across the entire Single Market. This will make SMBs more resilient and help them weather challenging times.”

Business groups have been quick with their responses to the new measures.

SMEunited president Petri Salminen said: “The revision of the late payment directive proposing strict payment terms of 30 days should strengthen the investment capacity of SMEs.” However, he stressed that member states should be able to have stricter rules and the possibility for sector-specific agreements.

Les législateurs ont réexaminé les moyens de sévir contres les entreprises qui tardent trop à régler les factures de leurs fournisseurs. La Commission européenne reconnait que la directive actuelle sur les retards de règlement est « inefficace ».... mais il n’est pas garanti que les nouvelles règles fonctionneront mieux. Hartley Milner se penche sur ce dossier. 906

“With these elements, the proposal will be a good basis to give entrepreneurs ownership of their cash flow and the capacity to invest in their business, amongst others for the twin transition (decarbonisation and digitalisation),” he added.

EuroCommerce, which represents retail and wholesale sectors, was rather less impressed. The group said it was concerned that prohibiting companies from agreeing payment terms beyond 30 days would “severely affect established practices” that rely on negotiating payment terms.

“We support a culture of prompt payment in Europe, but restricting payment terms to address late payment issues is the wrong answer to a real problem,” said director general Christel Delberghe. “Agreeing payment terms with suppliers is a crucial element of commercial negotiations. Taking away the chance for buyers who operate with low margins to make sales over a period of time to meet their costs risks distress rather than relief.”

Delberghe said the 30-day rule would deprive businesses of the flexibility to enter into mutually beneficial arrangements. It would also cut off supply chain financing, taking away a positive form of funding that fills the gap for companies who struggle to find affordable traditional bank finance.

“This proposal will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of one of Europe’s essential ecosystems and its contribution to local jobs and communities,” she asserted.

BusinessEurope has similar concerns.

Its director general, Markus J. Beyrer, acknowledged that a culture of prompt payment was a must and shorter payment terms in B2B transactions could help increase SMBs’ cash flow. But he stressed: “This should only be considered if the freedom of contract is maintained.

This is crucial in allowing the flexibility to capture business-to-business specific circumstances.”

The European Commission’s proposals, announced as part of a wider SMB relief package, will need the approval of the European Parliament and EU Council

before passing into law.

Some of west Europe’s most unpunctual payers are to be found in the UK. One in four invoices received by large businesses is paid late and there has been no improvement in the average time it takes to pay suppliers, according to the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). CIPS says findings from its analysis of government data highlight an “entrenched culture of late payment within the business community”.

Die Gesetzgeber starten einen erneut Versuch, Unternehmen, die die Zahlung von Lieferantenrechnungen verzögern, in Schranken zu halten. Die Europäische Kommission räumt ein, dass die derzeitige Richtlinie über Zahlungsverzug „unwirksam“ ist … Aber werden die neuen Regeln dieses Mal besser funktionieren?, fragt Hartley Milner.

I legislatori stanno cercando di nuovo di mettere un freno alle aziende che ritardano i pagamenti delle fatture dei fornitori. La Commissione Europea ammette che la direttiva attuale suoi ritardi nei pagamenti è “inefficace” … ma le nuove regole funzioneranno meglio questa volta? Hartley Milner indaga.

Entrenched culture Since 1 July 2021, large companies have been required to pay 95 per cent of invoices from small businesses – those with less than 50 employees– within 30 days, halving the previous payment window. The exception to this is where a small business has agreed an alternative timeline with its client. The maximum payment period for transactions between larger companies remains at 60 days.

The government clampdown appeared to have an impact, with the number of late payments falling from 31 per cent to 26 per cent. However, they have remained at that level into 2023. This means large businesses are regularly missing their own contractual deadlines for paying their smaller suppliers, CIPS discerns. Large companies have taken an average of 36 days to make payment, a figure that has barely moved over the past five years, in fact falling by just one day since 2018.

Large UK businesses have to twice yearly submit data on their domestic payments to the government’s prompt payment database. Despite this requirement, the number of submissions has fallen every year since 2019, with 15,087 submissions in 2019 but only 12,829 in 2022.

The UK government is due to report on its own review of payment rules before the end of this year. One measure being considered is for businesses to report the total value of their late payments, as well as the number of payments. This would reveal the financial impact of poor payment on the UK economy and address concerns that the data is being distorted by businesses paying small invoices quickly while delaying larger ones.

October 2023 | ECJ | 37

INNOVATION

Innovate with less risk Before March 2020, innovation within the facilities management sector was a slow and cumbersome beast. Progress was largely limited to variations on a theme upgrade to products, machinery and materials.

Then the pandemic struck and changed the landscape completely. Businesses across all sectors were suddenly forced to re-evaluate their entire approach.

For those of us trying to lead the way in facilities management there was plenty to consider. Would people be returning to workplaces, and if so, what would that look like? Were masks and hand sanitising stations here to stay? Would our entire operation have to change?

To cope with these unprecedented new challenges, we saw an explosion of activity that we’d not previously seen, both from the usual channels but also from new entrants to the sector. Difficult circumstances have led to exciting innovations that have changed the face of facilities management for the better.

We’ve seen major developments in internet of things (IoT) sensors and connected workspaces, and the large-scale introduction of cobotics - collaborative robots designed to work closely and safely alongside humans to improve efficiency.

Washrooms equipped with footfall and proximity technology, for example, utilise data to enable on-demand cleaning. Janitorial staff are then freed up to use their skills and resources on other duties, whilst maintaining a pristine workspace for customers regardless of use and time.

Alleviate pressure Using cobots which provide automated hard and soft floor cleaning allows cleaning staff to concentrate on more critical activities, with the added benefit of helping elevate pressures on staffing.

Sustainability has sprung to the forefront of people’s minds, leading to demand for new cleaning products and technologies with the environment at their heart. Many facilities management companies are review-

ing their systems, processes and supply chains to minimise their carbon footprint, and Samsic is no different.

Chemical-free cleaning systems, cleaning products using natural resources and the use of probiotics - beneficial bacteria and yeasts - are now replacing traditional chemical cleaning. Products are becoming more concentrated, helping to reduce plastic and cardboard waste as well as CO2 emissions.

Hybrid working Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a major global talking point. AI technology is fast becoming a staple within facilities management and is increasing in its capability exponentially. AI is being used to predict and manage daily operational operations, and there is significant potential across resource planning, building management systems, recruitment and selection.

The industry has also had to innovate to deal with new flexible and hybrid working patterns, both in terms of people’s locations and working hours. Wellbeing and social mobility have become big drivers of change, and we’re seeing more demand for smart buildings with efficiencies tied to increased use of data.

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of all this change, with shiny new products and advanced software systems making headlines. But it’s also important to ensure that any innovation is not only suitable for the needs of the provider, but also for the needs of the client and their people. Changes need to be tested and measured to ensure that whatever is introduced is achieving the right result for all parties.

At Samsic our approach is one of ‘open innovation’. We work both internally with our own teams, and externally with suppliers and new start-ups. We feel it’s important to be early adopters and disruptors in the market, whilst staying true to our environmental and social values.

This allows us to offer our customers and our people the most efficient and productive working methodologies. We’re

John Norris, head of innovation for Samsic UK, discusses how an open approach with a clear evaluation process can keep the facilities management sector at the forefront of innovation.

Samsic UK is a subsidiary of the Samsic Group, European provider of business and facilities services operating in over 25 countries with 93,000 staff and 30,000 corporate and institutional customers.

also lucky to be part of the much larger Samsic Group, so work collaboratively with pools of talent and expertise across 27 other countries to drive innovation.

Share knowledge To innovate quickly and successfully whilst minimising risk, it’s vital to share knowledge and draw on a vast array of skills, experiences and backgrounds.

Operators large and small can use this approach as long as they keep a few key points in mind.

Both current and future clients value leadership and vision, so to stay at the forefront of your industry and instil confidence in both your current and future customers, speed of implementation is vitally important.

Quick and efficient integration of new technologies, products or methods enables efficiencies and benefits to be readily achieved, maximising their potential and helping to protect your business.

Continued page 40

October 2023 | ECJ | 39

INNOVATION Innovate with less risk (continued from page 39)

Speed should not come at the expense of due diligence, however. The temptation to be first on the market can be strong but it is important that any innovation - be that a product, service or

John Norris, chef de l’innovation chez Samsic UK, examine les moyens pour le secteur des services d’installation de demeurer à l’avant-garde de l’innovation par une attitude d’ouverture appuyée par des processus d’évalation bien définis.

40 | October 2023 | ECJ

a change in approach - is fully evaluated prior to its inception.

The industry is littered with equipment and machinery that seemed a good idea at the time but now lies at the back of a storage cupboard.

You might grab their initial interest, but clients will soon move on if an innovation does not perform as expected - usually because it hasn’t been properly tested under suitable conditions.

I have always believed that the use of live tests is the best way to assess the performance of new innovations and minimise chances of failure.

You can use this process to minimise risk: • Start by defining John Norris, Leiter Innovation bei Samsic UK, erläutert, wie ein offener Ansatz mit einem klaren Evaluierungsprozess dazu beitragen kann, dass der Facility-Management-Sektor – mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf der Reinigung – an vorderster Front der Innovation steht.

what success looks like. What do you hope to achieve, and how will you measure this?

• Communicate your aims and goals with your stakeholders • Open up the process to your own teams and external collaborators • Select your participants for trials and evaluation • Clearly define your workflow and stages towards full implementation, including live testing • Live testing should be just that - live.

Demonstrations are not the same thing • All tests and trials should be undertaken with your own operators, who are ultimately the end users for the innovation • Set goals and rewards for the teams working on these innovations • Use the process to capture ideas, monitor and select final winners for implementation or to move on from proof of concept • Conclude with a comprehensive review and communication with all involved.

Success is never guaranteed in this field, but by following this process you can minimise risk of failure and ensure the innovation that does go live is fully suited to its intended use.

Open and transparent Working collaboratively with your own teams, key suppliers and customers empowers you as an organisation, creating an open and transparent relationship with all involved.

At Samsic we don’t see a culture resistant to change. Instead we see a real passion from our teams to embrace new and alternative ways of working, in an environment that engages and empowers everyone to drive and impact change. wwww.samsic.com

The November edition of ECJ will feature a special report on hand hygiene. Register at europeancleaningjournal. com for your free copy

John Norris, responsabile dell’innovazione presso la Samsic UK, discute su come un approccio aperto con un chiaro processo di valutazione possa mantenere il settore della gestione delle strutture all’avanguardia per innovazione, con particolare attenzione alla pulizia,

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CARE OF HARD FLOORS

Floored by the challenge Floors come in for a great deal of hard wear. Most other surfaces tend to be generally soiled mainly by dust, fingerprints and the occasional spill. But the floors of any public facility are repeatedly walked upon with dirty shoes.

Trolley cases and other wheeled traffic will criss-cross their surfaces and leave behind marks and grooves. And people are prone to drop things on floors – things that could be sticky, oily or abrasive.

So it is no surprise that floor maintenance makes up a major component of any cleaning regime. But how much of the cleaner’s time does it require? And what types of products and systems can make the task easier for operatives?

The amount of time that floor cleaning takes will depend on the environment to be cleaned, says Kärcher’s floorcare product manager Christian Mrowka. “It may require a whole day to fully clean the floors of a logistics warehouse, for example, whereas floor cleaning in an office will probably take up only around 50 per cent of the cleaner’s total working time,” he said. “This is because there will be desks and glass surfaces to clean in an office plus rubbish bins to empty.”

A well-maintained floor plays a key role in the look of a building, according to Mrowka. “Anyone coming in from outdoors will walk in dirt, particularly when the weather is wet or when the premises are directly accessible from outside.

“Floor cleaning plays a crucial role in improving air quality in dusty environments to make the workplace safer for employees. And there is evidence to suggest that bacteria on the floor can be re-suspended in the air where it could contaminate hands and surfaces or be inhaled or swallowed. With regular cleaning the degree of contamination can be kept very low.”

A clean floor helps to improve employee morale and boost productivity, according to Mrowka. “Productivity could suffer in a warehouse where the forklifts are obliged to move around spills and debris,” he says. “And if a machine needs

to manoeuvre around rubbish there’s also a risk of accidents.”

Technology can save the cleaner both time and effort, he says. “The introduction of easy-to-use scrubber dryers has been helpful, and there is even more flexibility now that autonomous floor cleaning robots are in common use.”

These help to minimise the time spent on floor cleaning while also freeing up employees for more complex tasks, according to Mrowka. “They can also clean at night without the need for staff to be present, while digital systems can help by recording the cleaning performance quality.”

Kärcher’s KIRA B 50 autonomous scrubber dryer has a 55 cm working width plus an area performance of up to 2,300 square metres per hour. It is said to be suitable for use in airports, stations, warehouses, retail units and shopping centres as well as in healthcare settings, schools and other public buildings.

Potential health problems Hako’s application technology trainer and consultant Klaus Serfezi says floor maintenance is an important part of any cleaning system. “Floors are high-traffic surfaces that accumulate dirt, dust, stains and other contaminants on a daily basis,” he said. “It is therefore essential to clean and maintain them regularly to create a clean and hygienic environment.”

Dirt, bacteria and germs can all cause health problems on floors, he says. “Clean and well-maintained floors will also improve the overall appearance of a facility and leave a positive impression on visitors and guests,” said Serfezi.

“Regular cleaning and maintenance will protect floors from premature wear which can extend the life of the flooring and minimise long-term repair and replacement costs. And dirty or wet floors may be slippery and cause an increased risk of falls and accidents. Thorough cleaning can help to minimise such hazards and ensure user safety.”

The amount of time required for floor cleaning depends on various factors, he

Floor cleaning is an important asapect of any cleaning regime.

But how important? Ann Laffeaty asks companies about the challenges that floor cleaning poses and finds out what can be done to lighten the cleaner’s load.

says. “These include the type and size of the facility, the type of flooring, the level of traffic and the frequency of cleaning.

“In high-traffic environments such as hallways, entrances, reception areas and washrooms the task will take up a significant amount of time to ensure cleanliness and safety.”

New from Hako is the Scrubmaster B75 i autonomous scrubber dryer which is said to significantly ease the floor cleaning task. The Scrubmaster B5 is described as being back-friendly while the Scrubmaster B25 for smaller surfaces is said to combine an ergonomic design with a high level of operating comfort.

The floor cleaning task can be eased in a number of ways, he says. “Robots cut the workload and allow cleaning to be carried out more quickly and efficiently,” said Serfezi. “The use of ergonomic cleaning equipment and systems can also reduce the strain on the cleaner because they allow for comfortable handling and posture to minimise potential fatigue.

“And low-maintenance floor coverings can also make the task easier.

Floors that are stain-resistant, smooth or sealed will require less time and effort to clean, for example.”

Floor cleaning takes up around 40 to 50 per cent of a cleaner’s working time depending on the environment, estimates Filmop’s business development manager Paolo Scapinello. “For example, a kindergarten will require more frequent floor cleaning than a cinema,” he said.

Continued page 44

October 2023 | ECJ | 43

CARE OF HARD FLOORS Floored by the challenge (continued from page 43) He believes floor cleaning to be equally as important as surface cleaning. “Both need to be carried out carefully and with professional tools that are up to the task.”

A dirty floor can be a means of spreading bacteria, according to Scapinello. “One gram of dust can contain up to one and a half million bacteria, and this could become a health problem as it rises from the floor and settles on surfaces,” he said.

Investment over time “And since the floor determines between five and 10 per cent of a building’s value, the importance of proper maintenance is clear. A well-cleaned floor is not a cost, but an investment over time.”

Robots can help to take away the strain in larger facilities such as supermarkets and airports, he says. But these require a significant cost investment.

“Manual equipment that has been designed according to ergonomic principles is a good alternative because it will protect the operator and increase productivity while also reducing costs,” he said.

Filmop’s ErgoSwing system consists of a telescopic handle with turning grips and a mop holder with an ergonomic joint which

44 | October 2023 | ECJ

is said to result in less fatigue and greater productivity. The ErgoSwing is claimed to significantly reduce the wrist movements required and allow a correct posture to be maintained during cleaning.

Maintaining the cleanliness of flooring is an often-overlooked aspect of a cleaner’s roles and responsibilities, according to SoftBank Robotics general manager Stefano Bensi. “If high-traffic floors are not properly cleaned and cared for, they will become damaged, unsafe and even contribute to poor air quality,” he said. “Floorcare can prevent the need for unexpected spending down the line, while regular maintenance will allow companies to identify any issues early on and keep the flooring to a satisfactory level of cleanliness.”

Floorcare can use up a huge amount of an employee’s time, he says. “Vacuuming 1,000 square feet of obstructed surface can take up more than 30 minutes per square foot,” he points out. “While resources are increasingly being spread thin by labour shortages and recruitment struggles, core tasks such as floorcare are taking a hit.”

Respiratory problems, heightened al-

lergies and skin irritation are all problems that can arise in cases where carpets are not cleaned, he says. “And besides the potential health impacts of poor cleaning, entering a clean and well-kept space can help to boost productivity and wellbeing.”

According to Bensi, cobots can support cleaning teams by performing the time-consuming task of vacuuming large floor areas. “This frees up staff for more complex jobs and for cleaning high-traffic entrances and flexible working spaces,” he said. SoftBank Robotics’ Whiz cobotic vacuum cleaner can be pre-programmed to move through complex and obstructed routes, he says.

Non-negotiable task LionsBot CEO Dylan Ng Terntzer estimates that the average cleaner spends approximately 60-70 per cent of their time on floor cleaning. “Floors are a major component of any cleaning regime because they naturally collect the greatest amount of dirt,” he said.

All public environments need to be kept clean to maintain a hygienic and healthy space, says Ng. “The fact floors accumulate dirt more quickly and easily than other

CARE OF HARD FLOORS

he said. “This collaborative teamwork between cleaners and robots can help to alleviate manpower shortage while also maximising efficiency.”

surfaces makes floorcare a non-negotiable task,” he said. “Bacteria and germs can contaminate the floor and then recirculate into the air, which means it is just as important to eliminate contaminants from the floor as it is on any other surface. And a dirty floor will create a bad impression, which is another great reason why floor cleaning is essential.”

LionsBot’s R3 Scrub Pro cleaning robot is designed for use in offices, shops and hotels while the R12 Rex Scrub can be used in larger areas such as factories and airports. The machines are said to offer superior mapping, localisation and detection abilities to create a safe environment.

Ng believes autonomous systems are a major factor in reducing the floor cleaning load. “By offloading the bulk of floor cleaning on to a robot the cleaner is able to focus on more complex tasks,”

Floor cleaning takes up around 60-75 per cent of the cleaner’s time, according to Truvox UK national sales manager Paul Robinson. “Floors create that important first impression when entering a building which means their care is a crucial task,” he said, adding that unclean floors can quickly give rise to health and safety issues.

“Many insurance claims arise because of people slipping on badly-maintained floors, so it is vital that the floors of fastfood restaurants and supermarkets are kept clean and safe,” he said. “And crosscontamination is another issue, whatever type of surface you are cleaning.”

Truvox Multiwash scrubber dryers are said to be easy to use and achieve good cleaning results, while the VTVe and Valet Battery Upright II are designed for daytime and daily vacuuming.

Good training and the correct use of machinery will help to achieve good results, says Robinson. “Robotics and cobotics are fast becoming a popular way of cleaning, particularly where labour shortages are an issue,” he adds.

“These machines are improving their ability to deliver a great result but they still need to be used in conjunction with the cleaning operative.”

He believes floor cleaning robots will become a major factor in tomorrow’s cleaning contracts. “However they currently come at a cost premium which can be a limiting factor when companies are looking to save costs,” he adds.

Le nettoyage des sols est une composante majeure de tout régime de propreté. Quel est le pourcentage du temps de travail d’un agent d’entretien à lui être consacré ? Et que fait-on actuellement pour alléger la charge de nettoyage de planchers, notamment par l’introduction de robots, de machines ergonomiques et de surfaces d’entretien facile ?

Die Bodenreinigung ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil eines jeden Reinigungsregimes. Wie viel Prozent der Reinigungszeit nimmt diese Aufgabe in Anspruch?

Und was wird getan, um die Bodenreinigung zu erleichtern – z. B. durch die Einführung von Robotern, ergonomischen Maschinen, pflegeleichten Böden usw.?

Il lavaggio dei pavimenti è una componente fondamentale di ogni regime di pulizia. Che percentuale del tempo tende a occupare un addetto alle pulizie per questa attività. Cosa viene messo in pratica per alleggerire il fardello del lavaggio dei pavimenti, per esempio introducendo i robot, macchine ergonomiche e pavimenti di facile manutenzione?

Training essential

October 2023 | ECJ | 45

PRODUCTS: CARE OF HARD FLOORS

• Nexaro aligne un nouvel aspirateur robot, le NR 1500.

• Hako vient de lancer le Delta Cleaning Sysem, une machine biorbitale compacte pour le nettoyage de planchers confinés.

• Le système Bona Resilient assure la restauration complète de surfaces de plancher endommagées ou paraissant au-delà de toute réparation.

• Von Nexaro kommt der autonome Saugroboter NR 1500.

• Neu von Hako ist das DeltaCleaning-System, eine kompakte Doppelorbital-Maschine zur Reinigung von Böden in kleinen Bereichen.

• Das Bona Resilient System ermöglicht die vollständige Erneuerung von Bodenbelägen, die beschädigt sind oder aussehen, als könnten sie nicht repariert werden.

• La Nexaro propone il robot aspirapolvere autonomo NR 1500.

• La novità della Hako è il sistema Delta Cleaning System, una macchina compatta a doppia orbita per pulire i pavimenti nelle aree di piccole dimensioni.

• Il sistema Bona Resilient System consente il rinnovo completo delle superfici dei pavimenti danneggiate o che non possono essere riparate.

46 | October 2023 | ECJ

Cobotic strategy

Into corners

The basis of Nexaro’s solution for commercial hard floor cleaning is its cobotic approach, which uses fully autonomous robot vacuum cleaners to support cleaners in their work.

The company’s NR 1500 offers borderless cleaning thanks to its D-shape, maximum flexibility thanks to compact dimensions and the light weight of the robot, plus an uncomplicated operating process for personnel.

The Nexaro HUB software maps the entire process of cleaning, from coordination to documentation - not only making a thorough clean possible but also simplifying the handling of the machine. www.nexaro.com

operator determines the working speed. www.hako.com

Floor renewal Thanks to Hako’s Delta Cleaning System - the delta-shaped, double-orbital working tool - along with optimum manoeuvrability and compact design, the new Scrubmaster B5 can be used for machine cleaning close to walls and in every corner.

The ultra-flat working tool allows cleaning under shelves and furniture with a clearance of as little as 120 mm. The agile operating handle ensures maximum flexibility in all directions - it’s height-adjustable while the integrated relief spring and ball joint enable easy working.

The Hako Delta Cleaning System keeps the machine neutral, without propulsion. Only the

Bona’s Resilient System is tailor-made for renewing resilient floor surfaces such as UPVC, linoleum, vinyl, and rubber that are damaged, worn, or look beyond repair.

Instead of replacing the damaged surface with a brand new flooring installation, the Bona Resilient System enables complete renewal of the existing surface. Benefits include up to 50 per cent less downtime; up to 50 per cent lower costs than replacement; reduction of carbon footprint by 90 per cent compared to replacement; the renovated surface can last up to 15 years; and the process can be carried out up to four times on the same surface. www.bona.com

PRODUCTS: CARE OF HARD FLOORS

Restore terrazzo Soiling caused by improper care can be successfully removed with Schwamborn’s alkaline basic cleaner in conjunction with a hard cleaning pad such as the FloorZilla hybrid green and the company’s OES 430 single disc machine.

a mono or multi-layer product, customised colours and an optional antimicrobial additive. www.fimor-polyurethane.com

Shock for floors Motorscrubber’s SHOCK is a floor cleaning machine designed to clean in the smallest areas.

It uses oscillating technology and a targeted spray for maximum cleaning performance on smooth and lightly textured surfaces - with minimal water or chemical use.

Its low profile 90° cleaning head can scrub in spaces under 50 mm while fitting into corners and edges. Patented rubber glide wheels prevent scuffing on walls. Flip the head to clean baseboards and steps effortlessly - no additional equipment is required.

A range of Thinline pads is available to use with the SHOCK, designed for almost all hard flooring. Thanks to the MAGPlate magnetic plate pad holder the pads are simple to change. www.motorscrubberclean.com

After intensive cleaning the floor should be impregnated, says the company, with a water-based fluoropolymer such as Schwamborn Protect W. This is said to remain more on the surface while sustainably facilitating the cleaning of the floor and protecting against oily or greasy dirt. www.schwamborn.com

Resistance FIMOR says its serilorCLEAN floor scrubber blades made in polyurethane offer outstanding chemical and mechanical resistance properties.

As an alternative to natural rubber, serilorCLEAN comes as • Schwamborn est un spécialiste des produits et machines de nettoyage de sols Terrazzo.

• Fimor est le fabricant des lames polyuréthanne serilor CLEAN pour autolaveuses.

• Développée par Motoscrubber, la SHOCK est une nouvelle machine de nettoyage des planchers capable de traiter les superficies les plus exiguës.

• Schwamborn ist auf Reinigungsmittel und -maschinen für Terrazzoböden spezialisiert.

• Fimor produziert die Scheuermaschinenblätter serilor CLEAN aus Polyurethan.

• Bei der von Motorscrubber entwickelten SHOCK handelt es sich um eine neue Bodenreinigungsmaschine zum Reinigen kleinster Bereiche.

• La Schwamborn è specializzata in macchine e prodotti per la pulizia per i pavimenti in terrazzo.

• La Fimor produce le lame tergipavimento Serilor CLEAN in poliuretano.

• Sviluppata dalla Motorscrubber, SHOCK è una nuova macchina per il lavaggio dei pavimenti nelle zone di dimensioni più ridotte.

October 2023 | ECJ | 47

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Kärcher a lancé le Kira CV 50, un aspirateur robot pour des surfaces moquetées et dures de dimensions moyennes.

• Comme produit nouveau, Essity propose l’Ensemble Tork d’hygiène de bureau pour aider les entreprises à améliorer le taux de satisfaction des salariés sur leur lieu de travail.

• La nouveauté de Dettol Pro Solutions est un nettoyant pour les mains à usage professionnel.

• Kleen-Tex, un spécialiste des paillassons, a étendu sa gamme Iron Horse en lançant les paillassons Iron Horse Light.

• Truvox International a lancé l’aspirateur à tambour de niveau d’entrée VTVe.

• Kärcher hat mit dem Kira CV 50 einen robotischen Staubsauger für mittelgroße Teppich- und Hartbodenbereiche auf den Markt gebracht.

• Neu von Essity ist das Tork Office Hygiene Package, das Unternehmen dabei unterstützt, die Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit am Arbeitsplatz zu verbessern.

• Neu von Dettol Pro Solutions ist ein Handwaschmittel für den professionellen Einsatz.

• Kleen-Tex, Spezialist für Mattenlösungen, hat die Produktreihe Iron Horse um die neu vorgestellte Iron Horse Light erweitert.

• Truvox International hat den VTVe als Kessel-Trockensauger der Einstiegsklasse eingeführt.

• La Kärcher ha lanciato Kira CV 50, un aspirapolvere robotico per aree di media dimensione con pavimenti in moquette o pavimenti duri.

• La novita della Essity è il pacchetto Tork Office Hygiene Package progettato per aiutare le aziende a migliorare la soddisfazione del personale sul luogo di lavoro.

• Una novità di Dettol Pro Solutions è un lavaggio a mano per uso professionale.

• La Kleen-Tex, specializzata in zerbini, ha ampliato la sua gamma Iron Horse con il lancio del prodotto Iron Horse Light.

• La Truvox International ha introdotto l’aspirapolvere a livello base VTVe

48 | October 2023 | ECJ

Robotic vacuum

With the addition of a new robotic vacuum cleaner, Kärcher is expanding its portfolio of autonomous cleaning solutions for professional settings.

Featuring replaceable batteries, the KIRA CV 50 cleans small to medium-sized carpeted and hard floor areas.

In order to spare cleaners monotonous tasks and make their work more efficient, the focus is on a high level of autonomous area performance and intuitive operation. Using its robust and safety-certified sensors and extensive LiDAR range, the KIRA CV 50 is capable of cleaning even expansive areas independently. And if required it can autonomously generate maps and plan paths, reducing the set-up time.

The robot is said to be easy and intuitive to operate. There are two cleaning modes to choose from, depending on the cleaning job and the site of application. For enclosed and less complex spaces, the robotic vacuum cleaner’s basic mode is suitable and requires no set-up.

For more complex spaces requiring regular cleaning, the robot can perform a one-off test run to explore the area.

Once it has finished cleaning, the KIRA CV 50 is easy to move to where it is needed next thanks to its lightweight and ergonomic design. There is a pull-out trolley handle to enable the cleaning team to pull the robotic vacuum cleaner along behind them. www.karcher.com

Happy staff New from Essity is the Tork Office Hygiene Package, designed to help businesses improve staff satisfaction.

The package incorporates smart hygiene solutions, a new air freshener and the Office Complaints Minimiser which

allows facility managers to test their hygiene knowledge against industry data.

Gripes about toilets account for more than 45 per cent of office building complaints according to a Statista study.

The Office Complaints Minimiser is a gamified digital challenge aimed at improving facility managers’ knowledge about hygiene and cleaning solutions in a bid to reduce complaints and save time.

Also incorporated in the package is Tork Vision Cleaning which is designed to take the guesswork out of the cleaning operations. Using real-time data from people-counters and connected dispensers, Tork Vision Cleaning indicates to facility managers and cleaning staff those situations where extra cleaning might be required and where dispenser refilling is needed.

And helping to keep the office environment smelling fresh is the new Tork Constant Air Freshener, a propellant-free aircare system that neutralises odours continuously and evenly. www.tork.co.uk

New for hands New from Dettol Pro Solutions (known as Sagrotan Pro Solutions in Germany) is Dettol 5 Litre (5L) Pro Cleanse Liquid Hand Wash - designed for professional use. Said to be kind to skin with a light refreshing fragrance, the new antibacterial formula is suitable for frequent and repetitive use.

The new liquid hand wash is available with wall-mounted dispensers and is compatible with open system manual and automatic hand soap dispensers - it comes in five-litre refill and 500 ml pump formats.

Dettol Pro Solutions also offers hand hygiene guidance materials such as mirror stickers reminding people how to wash their

hands as well as prompts to remember to wash your hands to be placed on toilet doors and above urinals. www.dettolprosolutionsth.com

More matting Kleen-Tex has extended its Iron Horse matting range with the launch of Iron Horse Light, said to be a cost-effective solution for commercial settings.

Preventing dirt and moisture from being tracked into a building, the mat boasts superior dirt catching capabilities.

Featuring a slimline, slip-resistant nitrile rubber backing, the PVC-free Iron Horse Light does not require industrial washing it can be washed up to 40°C and is suitable for tumble drying.

Manufactured in sizes ranging from 60 x 85 cm to 115 x 175 cm, Iron Horse Light is made of high twist nylon and comes in a range of colours including black mink, black brown, granite, midnight grey and black steel. www.kleen-tex.co.uk

Compact tub Truvox International has introduced the VTVe Compact tub vacuum, an entry-level model suitable for daily vacuuming. It follows the VTVe tub vacuum, which uses the same hose and bag connection and also the same accessories.

Weighing 5.4 kg this new model is light and manoeuvrable and offers a 10-litre capacity.

There is two-stage filtration including HEPA 13 media bag. www.truvox.com

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