International Roadmap to Jan/San Innovation

Jan/san professionals recently took the superhighway to international innovation when they attended Interclean Amsterdam earlier this year. The sprawling show attracted a diverse crowd of almost 900 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees representing 143 different countries. On display were products, equipment, and technologies that are driving the industry into an exciting time of innovation.

As the North American media partner for the event, Sanitary Maintenance was on hand to document new standards of clean that will improve occupant health and safety, drive sustainability forward, and utilize technology to streamline cleaning programs. These developments are bound to change the industry in the years to come. 

Awarding Innovation 

True to tradition, Interclean Amsterdam opened with the announcement of the prestigious Amsterdam Innovation Award winners. The program showcases solutions that are leading the way for a cleaner and safer world and are a clear example of the evolution of the entire industry. Whittled down from almost 100 submissions, individual winners were named in four main categories of focus impacting the industry today.  

The Smart Technologies and Digitization category was popular as software, autonomous equipment, Internet of Things and other technologies continue to evolve and elevate the jan/san industry. In the end, Karcher's KIRA CV 50, a mid-sized, self-charging, autonomous vacuum cleaner, took home the prize. It showcases how robotic technology is expanding and becoming more accessible to a wider facility audience. This also won the Visitors' Choice Award, new to the 2024 program. 

With so much attention given to the health and safety of frontline workers in recent years, it was no surprise the Workforce and Ergonomics category was flush with strong product nominations. In the end, it was actually a technology that came away with the win. The Baudoin Wash Drone from Baudoin Wash-Systems provides safe access to difficult-to-access building facades. It cleans using high-pressure, pure water technology and is controlled from the safety of the ground, making difficult cleaning tasks simple and safe for workers. Attendees also acknowledged the innovation, recognizing the technology with the Cleaners' Choice Award. 

Creating healthy and safe environments for building occupants by meeting hygiene standards is also a key role for professionals in jan/san and was prominent at the show. The Hygiene and Health category encompasses cleaning and disinfecting in healthcare, schools, and any public area. It tackles hand hygiene, surface disinfection, indoor air quality, and so much more. The innovation in this category seems simple, but it answers a strong need for protecting the tools frontline workers need to do their job. The winning product, the XIBU 2WIPE hybrid from Hagleitner Global Hygiene, is a smart, sensor-driven mobile disinfecting wipe dispenser that protects wipes from contamination and keeps them moist, which reduces waste.  

Other innovations moving the industry forward are those that embrace sustainability and environmental consciousness, reduction of consumption, waste management and lower pollution and emissions. Each of the finalists in this Sustainability and Environment category are focusing on the bigger sustainability picture and taking innovation to new heights. In the end, Diversey, a Solenis Company, won with the LESSEAU No-Touch Bar Soap dispenser and refills. This updated version of traditional bar soap features up to 300 washes, uses no plastic packaging and 90 percent less water, doesn't use fatty acids so it leaves no residue, and its small footprint makes shipping and storage simple. The touch-free, refillable dispenser is compact and rechargeable. In addition to winning its category, this product was also the Overall Innovation Winner for 2024.  

Michelle Marshall, chair of the Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Award Jury and Chief Editor of European Cleaning Journal says, “All of us on the jury were so impressed with how a very simple idea — a return to the use of bar soap in the washroom — has been reinvented and brought up to date thanks to the use of some really smart technology. This is a product which we believe can have a very broad and truly meaningful impact in so many different applications. And although it won the category Sustainability and Environment, the LESSEAU No-Touch Bar Soap performs so well in the other categories in terms of its credentials in smart technology, workforce and ergonomics, and hygiene and health. Diversey – A Solenis Company has completely reimagined what is a basic, everyday activity for all of us — washing our hands — and presented a truly innovative new solution.” 

The Stage is Set  

The Innovation Award Ceremony set the stage for the rest of the event. The 2024 program continued through the utilization of various stages highlighting industry advancements in cleaning priorities, global influences and opportunities for further growth.   

The main stage delivered thought-provoking keynote addresses and presentations on some of the most pressing topics impacting jan/san, including staffing struggles and overcoming the stigma of cleaning, generational hurdles, and leading during uncertain times. Other stages tackled cleaning trends of today and those that will impact the industry moving forward, including data and technology, sustainability, healthcare and hygiene, window cleaning and robotics. 

Show organizers comment that "deep-dive sessions on their respective stages offered insightful discussions on specific cleaning challenges and solutions. Product demonstrations brought cutting-edge cleaning technologies and solutions to life, while interactive workshops gave attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the latest groundbreaking tools to take their cleaning experience and expertise to the next level." 

Attendees sitting in on the Healthcare Cleaning Forum, a joint event between Interclean and CleanHospitals, were definitely leveling up. This was a strong draw because of the growing focus on infection prevention in this vertical market and the talking points didn’t disappoint.  

Commanding the stage were infection prevention specialists and facility cleaning experts who discussed new scientific insights in hand hygiene, innovative sensor technology, and groundbreaking procedures across the globe, much of which will impact product purchasing moving forward. That was evident on the show floor where manufacturers were showcasing Internet of Things technologies that would help detect pathogens or track occupant movement to identify cleaning needs.  

When asked about industry trends in healthcare, Robert Stelling, Director of Interclean Global Events, had this to say: “Healthcare facilities face unique challenges, battling unseen threats and striving to protect vulnerable patients. Expect to see breakthroughs in UV-C disinfection robots, germ-killing fabrics for surfaces, and even AI-powered sanitation protocols, all working together to create a safer, healthier environment for patients, staff and visitors alike.” 

Robots on the Move 

Whether focused on eliminating pathogens or streamlining cleaning processes, technology took center stage at Interclean Amsterdam. Many attendees specifically commented that their goal for the event was to learn about innovations in floor and carpet equipment, making the Robot Arena a must-see.  

According to Markets and Markets, the cleaning robot category is growing much quicker than expected. In 2018, it was projected that by 2023, the market would hit $4.34 billion, but it had already hit $8.9 billion by 2021. In 2022, the already $9.8 billion market was projected to grow to $25.9 billion in 2027. These stats make it easy to understand why nearly every equipment manufacturer present in Amsterdam was displaying a robotic option. 

In the Robot Arena, attendees could experience first-hand the benefits of automated, autonomous, and co-bot (collaborative robots — artificially intelligent robots that perform tasks in collaboration with human workers) options that can improve cleaning efficiencies. The stage featured equipment from seven different global manufacturers driving this category forward and innovation was the name of the game.  

New machines hitting the market focus on customizable cleaning schedules, self-diagnosing of maintenance, longer run times, self-recharging, and self-emptying/refilling. Users are also pushing manufacturers to streamline equipment to feature smaller footprints, stronger detection technology, improved mapping options, and mobile apps that provide better user experience and real-time data.  

One show-goer in the Robot Arena commented that she was looking for equipment that was essentially "set-it-and-forget-it" so her staff would be free to tackle other tasks. The manufacturer displaying at the time commented that they have a full team of engineers dedicated to creating equipment that satisfies that need. 

Interactions like these are driving innovation and technological advancements to floor equipment are progressing quickly. This is good news because robotic equipment is expected to be a growing category for distributors moving forward. 

Ongoing Growth 

No matter which product category attendees explored on the Interclean Amsterdam floor, there was no avoiding the push toward a more sustainable future. Products and equipment across all categories were promoting energy efficiency, biodegradable cleaning agents, recycled materials for tools and packaging, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.  

“There is much that can be learned at Interclean, especially when it comes to sustainability,” says Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, Channel Island Harbor, California. “I was especially impressed by a few key innovations: those that substantially reduced packaging, such as cleaning chemicals in pouches as opposed to plastic bottles; occupancy sensors so we only clean rooms that were actually used; sensors recognizing when restroom products need to be refilled; and of course, robotics. These innovations are a sign of the future, and each will directly affect our industry and our workers.” 

Innovation was in abundance throughout this global event. It’s obvious that the jan/san market is becoming more accountable and sustainable as an industry, and it’s primed to forge ahead. 

"One of Interclean’s main objectives is to enable the cleaning and hygiene industry to grow and thrive, by creating the right environment and atmosphere to do business in," says Stelling. "I think we really succeeded in this, looking at the positive atmosphere in the halls and at all the networking events, but most of all the busy stands where many new contacts were made, and orders closed." 

Sidebar: Growing Bigger and Better 

Interclean Amsterdam 2024 was the perfect occasion for the grand reveal of Interclean’s new brand identity, which encompasses an eye-catching look and feel, featuring a refreshed color scheme and modern logo. The rebranding honors Interclean’s reputation as a trusted knowledge partner with an almost 70-year-old heritage, while also celebrating the brand’s renewed energy and enthusiasm. 

The new brand style represents Interclean’s core values: independence, authority, and community, with the colors contributing a feeling of warmth and being together. The revamped logo, which is a blend of a circle and an octagon, symbolizes their strength and reach, while not forgetting Interclean’s legacy of credibility and expertise. As facilitators, the goal has always been to create an inspirational environment (both online and in person) where industry professionals feel encouraged to innovate, share, and network. 

“We’ve always been passionate about forward thinking and building strategic partnerships. Interclean is no longer 'just' a trade show, but an internationally respected hub and global platform for businesses, industry experts and thought leaders to engage in an immersive experience as they discover the future of professional cleaning and hygiene,” says Robert Stelling, Director Interclean Global. “We wanted our brand to reflect this growth and our commitment to enabling the cleaning and hygiene industry to thrive. As we go forward, our brand strategy becomes the compass guiding our every move, ensuring that we not only maintain our leadership but also evolve with the times and the needs of our stakeholders.” 

Corinne Zudonyi is the Editor-in-Chief of Sanitary Maintenance and has been in the cleaning industry for 17 years. She also oversees CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine and Contracting Profits magazine.