Market and product

Compiled by Bao Hien

At SEPAWA 2026 in Berlin, chemical companies presented surfactants for water-saving dishwasher programmes, microbe-based cleaning products and replacement ingredients designed to meet new EU rules.

SEPAWA is a major annual congress for Europe’s detergent, cosmetics and fragrance industries. This year it took place from 14 to 16 October in Berlin, Germany. Products for household cleaning focused on three main directions. The first is maintaining cleaning performance as washing machines and dishwashers use less water and lower temperatures. The second is replacing petrochemical raw materials with other sources. The third is substituting ingredients that face tighter EU regulation.

Cleaner results with less water

According to Clariant (Switzerland), the amount of water used per dishwasher cycle has fallen by more than half over the past 20 years. Eco programmes run at lower temperatures, so they need longer cycles. Quick programmes, on the other hand, have less time, heat and water to remove food residues. As a result, grease builds up more easily inside the machine and on its filter.

To address this, Clariant presented Genapol Pure Power, a surfactant used as a rinse aid in dishwasher tablets. A single ingredient both reduces greasy residue and helps dishes dry with a good shine. In the company’s tests, it reduced the weight of residue on dishwasher filters by up to 70% compared with a benchmark surfactant. The company did not name the benchmark or say when the product will go on sale.

Surfactants from CO₂

Econic Technologies (UK) presented Recreaire, a carbonate ethoxylate surfactant platform that incorporates CO₂ into the molecular structure. According to the company, the platform can produce both workhorse surfactants and molecules tailored to customer needs.

The company has not published the CO₂ content of the molecules or any performance data. These figures are only available in its congress presentation, which readers must register to download.
Cleaning with microbesEvon

ik (Germany) presented MICROHANCE Pure, a cleaning product that combines microorganisms with enzyme-based cleaning. According to the company, the product removes soil, reduces malodour and keeps cleaning for longer. It has not released specific figures.

Distributor Univar Solutions also showcased cleaning formulations based on biological and enzyme technologies, aimed at removing pet odours and stains.

Removing microplastics and allergens

Several products were developed to replace ingredients that the EU is restricting.

Liquid laundry detergents often contain opacifiers to give them a pearly, opaque look, and some opacifiers are polymers. Croda (UK) presented CrodaPearl MPF, an opacifier that is 92% naturally derived, biodegradable and free of microplastics. It can be processed cold, without heating. The company positions the product as a way to meet new regulations. The EU is gradually applying a restriction on intentionally added microplastics, which came into force in 2023.

Kuraray (Japan) presented MMB (methoxymethylbutanol), a solvent that replaces D-limonene. D-limonene gives a citrus scent and is a good grease remover, but it is one of the allergens that must be listed on labels. MMB is low in odour, biodegradable and meets the criteria of the EU Ecolabel. It can be used in laundry detergents, degreasers and multi-purpose cleaners.

On the fragrance side, Frey+Lau (Germany) presented 11 fragrances free of sensitisers, tested to a detection limit of 10 ppm. The range is designed to meet EU Regulation 2023/1545, which expands the list of fragrance allergens that must be declared on labels.

Nouryon (Netherlands) presented biocidal active substances for disinfectant cleaners. According to the company, they remain effective while complying with increasingly strict EU rules.

From ingredients to finished formulations

Alongside manufacturers, major chemical distributors brought complete formulations to the congress. Azelis presented its “Green Bathroom” concept, which uses bio-based, renewable and circular ingredients in products for bathroom cleaning, glass, floors, air care and laundry. Univar Solutions said it had expanded its distribution of Dow’s home care technologies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Most products launched at the congress do not yet have publicly available performance data. The claims so far come mainly from the companies themselves and have not been independently assessed.