I.c.e.for S.p.a.: environmentally friendly detergents

Initially established for the business sector, before specializing in toll manufacturing for various industries and offering tailor-made products, the company has developed a focus on sustainability

by Maria Teresa Giannini

Founded over 45 years ago, I.c.e.for S.p.a. is a family company that produces professional detergents, as well as detergents for home use. They have 30 employees, and their 2021 turnover was 8.5 million euros (source: registroaziende.it).

I.c.e.for is located in Magenta’s Ticino Park, which prompted the company to develop a particular passion for environmental protection, which was solidified in 1985, upon the creation of their ‘Ecological Formula’ manifesto. I.c.e.for's goal has always been to research groundbreaking formulations for its products, using raw, plant-based materials that guarantee maximum biodegradability and minimum environmental impact. Daniela Antoniuzzi, vice president of the company, tells us about it.

How was last year for your company?

2022 was positive overall, but, as with all companies, we have had trouble sourcing raw materials over the past few months. In spite of this, we have never let our customers go without our products; we avoided systematically passing on any price increases to them, while also keeping raw material and electricity costs as low as possible.

How much of your overall turnover and sales is generated by your private label products?

75% of our overall production comes from third-party branded products and the remaining 25% comes from I.c.e.for branded products. We have developed a strategy around PL to match our excellence in R&D and production with excellence in the supply chain. A good number of products in the I.c.e.for lines are customizable, particularly our household cleaners and disinfectants.

What sort of market is the detergent market? Is it more vulnerable to certain variables such as rising costs of raw materials and inflation than other markets? Rising household bills and record-high inflation are certainly affecting consumption. People are cautious in their spending and plan their purchases carefully. At the same time, there has been considerable growth in attention to the sustainability of products, as well as corporate transparency.

Do you have a presence in overseas markets? Where do you mainly direct your export business?

We have recently formed partnerships with some companies located in Eastern Europe, but our business is still mainly directed towards the Italian market.

Which brands do you work with?

Domestically, we serve the main large-scale distribution brands, but we also work with specialized stores.

What are the benefits that you offer as a PL manufacturer?

I.c.e.for was initially established for the professional field, but as time has gone on, we have begun to specialize in toll manufacturing for a variety of sectors, and can offer custom-made products. Thanks to our research and development team, we are now able to offer our customers concentrated formulas, ingredients that are both renewable and sustainably sourced, recycled primary packaging, FSC-certified secondary packaging, as well as tertiary packaging also made of recycled material. In addition, we can guarantee the production of medical surgical aids, as we are a licensed manufacturer. Over the years, we have gained some of the most significant certifications, such as the ISO 14001 (for environmental high performance), as well as the IFS (a global certification for products manufactured under a third-party brand). Companies that are interested in producing their own brands through us can also claim labels such as ‘EcoBioControl and EcoBioVegan - products not tested on animals or animal-based’. "Second Life Plastic - 100% certified recycled plastic," "EU Ecolabel - certified ecological quality on a European level"; "A.I.S.E. Charter for Sustainable Cleaning"; "Nickel, Chromium, Cobalt tested," in other words, products tested for metal allergies.

What are your most in-demand products?

Our various lines of green detergent (both our own brand and customer-branded products) are in high demand, as are the aforementioned PMC products, which consist of highly specialized cleaners and specific household products, such as descaling agents for irons and coffee machines, induction hob cleaners, window and blind cleaners, and glass and fireplace cleaners.

How can a detergent manufacturer get the certification “Legambiente Recommended Product?"

At a few conferences in the 1980s, the President met the new Legambiente association and immediately shared the idea of sustainability with them. This encounter created a bond of great truth and respect. In the years that followed, we strengthened this partnership and have always supported them in protecting the environment, so much so that today I.c.e.for is the only company in Italy to have multiple lines that carry the exclusive "Legambiente Recommended Product" logo. This title was given to us following a careful analysis by the environmental association’s technical-scientific committee, which assessed the environmental friendliness of our products, not from a chemical perspective, but rather more comprehensively, taking into account factors such as production cycle, packaging, and formula.

Businesses like I.c.e.for are in the spotlight for two reasons: they produce detergents and use packaging made from polymers. What steps are you taking to make your business more eco-friendly?

I.c.e.for has always firmly believed that sustainability is no fleeting concept, so much so that it was already listed 10 years ago in the "Golden Book on Corporate Social Responsibility'' for the DADO project, which is an environmentally friendly container for detergents designed in collaboration with the Iuav University of Venice. This project was already cutting-edge several years ago due to its 100% recycled plastic material; it reduced the environmental impact of transportation through palletizing, which is a means of optimizing occupied space on vehicles, and it contained a waste-reducing concentrate that benefited the environment. In 2023, we cemented our position as a sustainable company through the ISO 14067 Certification (Carbon Footprint Management). Additionally, a continued team effort made it possible to quantify this footprint with the equivalent CO2 weight corresponding to 1kg of product in its packaging. Once again, this reveals the importance our company policy attaches to environmental impact and will be a new benefit to our customers.l