H3i 2024: Detergents – navigating ecological transition, opportunities, and challenges

With approximately 800 visitors, 50% more than the previous year, H3i Italia, an event dedicated to chemistry in the domestic and industrial cleaning supply chain, achieved significant growth and acclaim in 2024.

As the scientific committee began brainstorming ideas on the new conference program, the theme of ecological transition within the cleaning supply chain emerged as a focal point, a sign of the common feeling of a sector that has always and increasingly been at the forefront of the challenges raised by the debate on sustainable development.

An increasingly complex debate. In the early years of its enunciation (from the ‘Brundtland Report’ of 1987, named after the coordinator of the World Commission on Environment and Development) ‘sustainability’ meant simplifying as much as possible, making new formulations more and more eco-friendly. Then the term was progressively declined in every aspect of our daily life until arriving at today’s GREEN DEAL. This ecological transition encompasses a holistic approach to land and environmental policies, with renewable energies playing a pivotal role in fostering global sustainability.

The conference aimed therefore to explore the topic of sustainability in detergents through scientific presentations, case studies, and technical-commercial discussions. The event featured distinguished associations such as Federchimica (Assocasa-Aispec), AssICC, and AFIDAMP, the reference point for professional cleaning, which enhanced the conference with an insightful session.

To kick off the two-day event, interviews were conducted with various companies, posing questions such as:

What is your company’s vision towards the green economy? what opportunities and challenges are you facing in achieving sustainability goals?

Key themes and insights from these interviews included:

WATER AND WATERLESS PRODUCTS: an increasingly precious resource due to the proven difficulties in water supply and water management resulting from climate change and increased demand, the subject of ‘water’ is now more sensitive than ever. Hence the effort to create concentrated and ‘waterless’ products. A wide range is available on the market today.

ECO FORMULATIONS, ECOLABEL, ECOCERT, ORGANIC PRODUCTS: the trend towards natural ingredients and eco-friendly formulations continues to gain momentum, accompanied by developments in probiotics for domestic and professional cleaning applications. However, there is a need for clarity on raw materials, such as the biobased definition for surfactants, and the real impact of environmental sustainability, which can be challenged by various factors such as logistics and transport.

Sustainable PACKAGING: companies are prioritizing sustainable packaging solutions, driving innovation, analysis of environmentally compatible materials, and development of increasingly virtuous recycling technologies.

ASSOCIATIONISM: increasingly crucial is the role of Associations in providing consultancy, assistance, advocacy, and cultural promotion contributing to COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATION strategies.

The EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS are vital for the manufacturer. Staff are first and foremost consumers and users of services. Employee involvement is crucial for fostering innovation and achieving shared sustainability goals within organizations. New professional figures such as the SUSTAINABILITY Manager are now consolidated in many companies.

ENERGY DIAGNOSES and investments in RENEWABLE ENERGY are pivotal for driving the development of transition towards sustainability: analyses, studies, company adaptations, new technologies underlying the company VISION.

DISRUPTION is the dominant dynamic of the historical period we are living through, from the outbreak of the pandemic to the crisis caused by the geopolitical turbulence that is still ongoing. Phenomena that have overturned paradigms in a short time, which usually is a result of a system evolution with a long gestation. However, the numbers recorded over the last five years highlight the cleaning sector’s resilience and adaptability.

During interviews, FINANCING, NRP, and investment incentives emerged as critical considerations. Sustainability is indeed a beautiful concept, but it requires significant investments across various fronts, including technology and human resources.

A recurring concern highlighted by interviewees was the future regulatory landscape.

Many voices emphasized the need for SIMPLIFICATION, particularly in bureaucratic processes. However, there’s widespread apprehension about impending legislative and regulatory changes that could become more restrictive, potentially influenced by the upcoming renewal of the European Parliament.

Election periods often witness ambitious promises, and the focus on ‘GREEN’ can evoke emotional responses. There’s a risk of decisions driven by the pursuit of easy consensus, potentially influenced by parties not fully equipped to address sustainability issues.

Finally, in the lead-up to the conference, the Scientific Committee emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, symbolized by the SHARED WORKTABLES.

Now more than ever collective collaboration is seen as essential, free from individualistic stances, fostering a unified approach that can promote shared visions to address significant challenges with determination and appropriate resources.

Perhaps the principle of SHARING is the key word that sums up the spirit of H3i 2024.