Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 12th March 2026 Issue no. 1201
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 International News
Products Spanish global waste business Urbaser sells to Blackstone and EQT
SoftBank Robotics America broadens physical AI solutions portfolio
This announcement furthers the future of physical AI solutions for the sector and expands the company’s solutions portfolio with advanced technologies designed to deliver increased efficiency and enterprise value in highly dynamic environments. ECHA finally adopts opinion on ethanol and supports its approval in disinfectants
EnvirOx launches industry disrupting cleaner disinfectant
UMF|PerfectClean announces Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award winners
Tennant appoints Sandro Haim as VP and general manager EMEA
New EU eco-design regulation to reduce waste by ending destruction of unsold apparel
A clean floor isn't a safe floor: uncovering the hidden dangers
SafeSeat: Industrial toilet seat designed to solve annoying workplace issue
ERC sees TVH as example of remanufacturing success
Viridi and Zschimmer & Schwarz collaborate on CO2-based surfactants
New partnership strengthens Trojan Battery's distribution footprint
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
Around a quarter of a century ago, I joined long-standing Loo of the Year Awards champion and British Toilet Association original Richard Chisnell as a guest LOTY Awards judge, and I must say it was one of the most fascinating projects I've enjoyed in my 40 years as a journalist. I learned so much - not just about public toilets, but about people's mindsets and behaviours - the psychology regarding public toilet provision and use, if you like. One of the many interesting discussions that stuck in my mind was regarding what had in the early days of the Awards, been initial surprises at arriving to inspect loos that had been entered into the Awards, (i.e. as a potential winner) only to find that they were in a disgusting state... uncleaned, unstocked, locks and other fixtures broken, missing tiles, permanently stained floors etc. Yes - as Richard explained, some people would nominate a facility to draw attention to how bad it was, in an attempt to perhaps embarrass those responsible into doing something to improve things. And these weren't just toilet blocks in open spaces (subject to vandalism, theft etc) but also in pubs, clubs, restaurants, stores and workplaces; letting down not only their employees but their clientele, too. Clever eh?
Why am I reminiscing about judging the Loo of the Year Awards you wonder? Simply because I received a press release this week from Logistics UK, heralding the launch of its search for the 'Best Truck Stop of the Year', 2026, inviting drivers to nominate truck stops that consistently 'go the extra mile'. The release didn't mention what John Austen and I feel should be some of the most important considerations: toilets, washing facilities and showers, so I clicked through to the nomination page and there they were: 'Cleanliness & Availability of Toilets' and also 'Showers & Washing Facilities (cleanliness & reliability)'. Other considerations include security, parking surface conditions, lighting, food availability and value for money.
The initiative forms part of the business group's wider activity highlighting the need to raise standards of facilities across the roadside network, recognising the vital role high quality rest areas play for professional drivers - the 'backbone of the economy'. As Sue Alty, co-founder of My Truck Stop notes: "Drivers notice everything about a truck stop, from the parking and food to the showers and overall equipment. That's why improving facilities and recognising the sites that are doing things well really matters."
The winner will be announced in July. Nominations, open until 31st May, can be made at: https://logistics.org.uk/media/best-truck-stop-of-the-year
I wonder how many truckers will nominate the worst facilities in the hope that they’ll be called out - and, as a consequence, improved, just as users did (and perhaps still do) with the Loo of the Year Awards?
  This Week's News
Atlas Cleaning appoints Issi Salter as growth director
The appointment reflects Atlas Cleaning's ambition to accelerate sustainable growth while maintaining the culture and discipline that underpin its success.
New data shows more than 2,130 businesses in Lincolnshire alone were flagged as being in financial distress by the end of Q4 2025 - a leading indicator of potential collapse. For Mark Pitfield, managing director and business coach at The Thrive Tribe, those numbers hit home. After building a 12-location training organisation employing 50 staff across four UK regions, he lost the entire operation following the sudden non-renewal of a primary contract. National Cleaning Week: ‘Celebrating Cleaning Innovation’
"British brands are under increasing pressure to deliver safe, consistent experiences at every location, even as teams change and regulations evolve," explains Michele Hardy-King, director, Europe & Africa retail, NSF.
 Public washroom dilemmas, faux pas and etiquette: what would you do?
 Northwood scoops top sustainability award
The FPA Environmental Sustainability Award recognises firms that have developed solutions which help businesses across the sector to reduce their environmental impact and contribute positively to the environment. Polygiene launches OdorCrunch2.0: next-generation odour capture technology for modern textiles
Building on the development of the original OdorCrunch technology, OdorCrunch2.0 delivers enhanced odour absorption performance across a wider range of fabrics, including lightweight 100% polyester, blended constructions, and natural fibres. The technology works by capturing environmental odour molecules within the textile structure, preventing them from being released during wear and helping garments stay fresher for longer. Ramon Hygiene mop innovation recognised at FPA Awards
Clientshare launches Connect to scale customer engagement and sentiment tracking for businesses
Many organisations run structured review meetings with their largest customers but struggle to maintain the same cadence across every account. Over time, that can reduce visibility, making it harder to spot early warning signs or identify opportunities to improve the customer experience.
Beginning Q2 2026, ISS will provide integrated facilities services including cleaning, mailroom, front-of-house and workplace services, to multiple sites across England, including the Bank's historic headquarters in the City of London (pictured). The contract also includes the potential to add additional service options as the contract progresses. Sofidel continues its expansion in the US: $775Mn investment finalised for Inola, Oklahoma
The plan includes the construction of a new building to house the previously announced 75,000 tonnes/year Valmet Through-Air-Drying (TAD) tissue machine, along with the installation of converting lines with matching capacity for the production of finished goods. The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
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