Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 16th April 2026 Issue no. 1206
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Interclean Amsterdam announces Amsterdam Innovation Award 2026 winners
Interclean Amsterdam 2026 opened this week at RAI Amsterdam, placing innovation and industry progress firmly in the spotlight. The first day featured the Amsterdam Innovation Awards ceremony, recognising industry innovations shaping the future of cleaning & hygiene. And the winners were…
Amsterdam Innovation Award 2026 Winner: Dryft…
The Overall Winner of the Amsterdam Innovation Award 2026 was presented to DRYFT for its Dryft ultra-low profile high-speed scrubber dryer. Designed with the operator in mind, the machine impressed the jury with its ability to significantly reduce the physical strain through its vertical, ergonomic design while delivering strong cleaning performance and versatility. Beyond ergonomics, the jury also noted its potential to make a meaningful difference across the industry through significantly improving both productivity and user experience.
See it in action at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0qXShAldzU&t=23s
Category winners:
Sustainability & Environment winner: Essity Hygiene & Health AB - Tork Hygiene for All: Certified inclusive washroom dispensing…
Essity's ‘Tork Hygiene for All’ initiative stood out for going beyond product innovation to address inclusivity in public washrooms. With dispensers certified under Design for All standards, alongside accessible packaging and skin-friendly formulations, the initiative aims to improve the experience for users and cleaning professionals. The jury highlighted its potential to raise awareness and set new benchmarks for inclusivity across the sector.
Smart Technologies & Digitalisation winner: FacilityApps - Virtual Reality Training for Cleaners…
FacilityApps was recognised for its immersive VR training platform, offering a plug-and-play, multilingual solution that overcomes language barriers in a diverse workforce. The system enhances engagement through gamified learning and improves accessibility for users with ADHD, dyslexia and language challenges. The jury noted the growing importance of digital tools in workforce development and the significant potential of this solution.
Workforce & Ergonomics winner: Dryft World - Dryft Ultra-low profile high-speed scrubber dryer…
Also named overall winner, DRYFT led this category by prioritising the wellbeing of cleaning operatives. Its ergonomic design reduces repetitive motion, lifting and fatigue, while maintaining high performance standards, demonstrating how innovation can directly improve daily working conditions.
Hygiene & Health winner: Vileda Professional TraXero Wheel Cleaner…
Vileda Professional's TraXero addresses an often-overlooked hygiene risk: contamination via wheels in controlled environments. By automating a traditionally labour-intensive task, the system ensures consistent, auditable cleaning while reducing physical strain. The jury recognised its wide application potential across healthcare, cleanrooms and food environments.
Cleaners' Choice Award…
The Cleaners' Choice Award 2026, presented by the Dutch Cleaner of the year; Jolanda Reedijk-den Heijer, was awarded to FacilityApps for its Virtual Reality Training for Cleaners, further underlining the positive user impact of the solution.
Visitors' Choice Award…
The Visitors' Choice Award 2026 was awarded to Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG for the Kira B 200, a safety-certified, fully autonomous scrubber dryer.
This year's entries once again demonstrated the global reach and diversity of innovation within the professional cleaning sector.
"The Amsterdam Innovation Awards is an absolutely key programme for our industry because it is directly linked to the largest trade show in the sector," the jury commented. "It showcases how companies continue to lead the way with new solutions for a cleaner, safer world."
Proceeds from the Awards were donated to AMREF Health Africa, with Hermance Hora Siccema receiving the cheque on stage. The funding supports the Piwa project in Northern Uganda to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene for around 39,000 people.
With innovation, collaboration and social impact at the forefront, the opening day of Interclean Amsterdam 2026 set the stage for a dynamic week ahead, with the Innovation Awards playing a key role. Hosted by Pernille La Lau, the dynamic opening programme combined insight and celebration, with a keynote from Olympic and World Cup-winning hockey field coach Marc Lammers.
Save the date for the next Interclean Amsterdam, 4th – 7th April, 2028.
16th April 2026