Europe's largest cleaning show opens its doors to a global audience

Europe’s leading international exhibition for the professional cleaning sector, Interclean Amsterdam, opened its doors this year as a completely sold-out event for the first time since its inception, according to the organisers. Interclean Amsterdam officially opened on 14 May 2024, with the announcement of the Overall Winner of the Amsterdam Innovation Award. This prestigious Award was presented to Diversey – A Solenis Company, for its LESSEAU® NO-Touch bar soap dispenser and refills for a product that the jury believed can have a very broad and truly meaningful impact in so many different applications.

Chair of the Jury, Michelle Marshall said, “All of us on the jury were very impressed with how a very simple idea, a return to the use of bar soap in the washroom, has been reinvented and brought right up to date thanks to the use of some really smart technology”. The proceeds of this year’s Innovation Award were donated to Amref Flying Doctors, to support their FINISH project in Tanzania. Having a safe toilet and access to supplies like soap and clean water, are the basics of good health and improved livelihoods. Interclean Amsterdam bustled with energy as thousands of visitors and exhibitors from across the globe came together to reconnect, forge new partnerships, and learn about the latest innovations. Many South Africans made their

way to Amsterdam to visit the show to also support exhibits by the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) and the Cleaning Association of South Africa (CASA). On the first evening of the show, South African and Zimbabwean visitors joined together to board the customary boat cruise through the city’s many canals.

This year’s mammoth show spread over 11 halls with more than 900 exhibitors and over 100 knowledge sessions, four presentation stages and visitors from 143 countries was indicative that Interclean Amsterdam was so much more than a trade exhibition. Running alongside the event was the Healthcare Cleaning Forum where the latest trends and challenges affecting environmental hygiene and disinfection in healthcare facilities were explored.

From a South African perspective, visitors expressed their satisfaction with an extremely constructive and informative week spent in Amsterdam where new business relationships were forged. The trip concluded with the farewell and awards dinner at the Floating Palace restaurant. Following hereafter is a snapshot of the various activities during the week in Amsterdam. Some of the new products launched can be seen in the new products section of this issue.

From arrival on day one to the farewell Amsterdam dinner, multiple social events for the South African and Zimbabwean tour delegates to forge new friendships and kindle existing business relationships were held.

Various knowledge sessions presented by industry leaders broadened the mind.

South African industry associations’ stands proved to be a welcome stopover for weary feet and gathering point for the customary canal cruise.