From Lab to Life: The Science Behind Clean & Care

As we introduce our new baseline “Experts in Clean. Partners in Care.” we sat down with our new R&D Manager Professional Hygiene to discuss what this promise means from a product and innovation perspective. In this interview, Steven De Backer shares his first impressions of our portfolio, his vision for the future of product development, and how R&D plays a key role in helping us deliver clean and care – every day, everywhere.

Steven, welcome aboard. Can you tell us a bit about the person behind the position? What motivates you most in your role as R&D manager?
As a child, I was always curious about how the world works. That same curiosity led me to study Chemistry. And even though detergents may seem like simple, everyday products - used for washing dishes or cleaning clothes, they are much more complicated than people think. I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to developing high-performing detergents with the lowest possible environmental impact.

When you first got to know our product portfolio, what stood out to you the most?
Several things stood out, but two in particular were especially remarkable. First, the broad variety of detergents, each with specific characteristics, carefully optimised for different types of soils and surfaces. Second, the extensive range of eco-labelled products, which clearly reflects how strongly Christeyns prioritises sustainability.

The new baseline for Professional Hygiene is “Experts in Clean. Partners in Care.” What does this mean to you, personally?
“Experts in Clean” means that, together with our suppliers, we not only stay ahead of new developments but also continuously update and improve our existing portfolio based on market feedback. Our expertise extends beyond formulation. It also covers production processes and operational excellence.
“Partners in Care” has many layers. It starts within our R&D team, where we share insights and collaborate across countries and business units. It continues through close cooperation with other departments - such as production, regulatory, purchasing, and marketing - and ultimately includes our external partners: customers, distributors and suppliers alike.

How do you and your team make sure we truly live up to the name “Experts in Clean”?
Although people have been cleaning and washing for thousands of years, the field of detergents is continuously evolving. To stay at the forefront of innovation, we work in close collaboration with our suppliers to ensure we remain up-to-date with the latest technical advancements. The Christeyns products are renowned for their high quality, which is why we avoid following trends that lack scientific backing or reliable data.

And how do you see our role as “Partners in Care”? What does that caring mindset mean in practice from an R&D point of view?
We work hand in hand with our regulatory team to ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation. At the same time, our local R&D laboratories play a vital role in staying aligned with local market needs and in translating innovations into relevant, market-specific solutions.

You are a strong advocate for portfolio harmonisation. Why is this so important for Professional Hygiene?
The professional hygiene market is characterised by a wide range of applications, from kitchen hygiene and on-premise laundry (OPL) to cosmetic products and more. In addition to this diversity, cultural preferences - such as fragrance choices - further increase the need for product variety within the segment.
However, as regulatory requirements become increasingly stringent, it is essential to maintain a product portfolio that is flexible and adaptable to change. Achieving this is only possible through a streamlined and harmonised product range. Beyond regulatory advantages, such harmonisation also brings efficiencies in production and logistics.

How are you approaching this harmonisation process with your team?
We are transitioning from a country-focused R&D structure to a global network of R&D experts. Challenges encountered in one country are often similar to those faced elsewhere, allowing us to learn from each other and, in some cases, apply existing solutions with only minor adaptations. This harmonisation process fosters closer collaboration across teams and leads to greater alignment in formulation development and even in the selection of raw materials.

How important is sustainability in your R&D approach today?
Sustainability is embedded in Christeyns’ DNA, and it influences everything we do. We are continuously seeking ways to reduce our ecological footprint by optimising internal processes. For example, through the installation of solar panels, water-saving initiatives, and waste reduction programmes.
A great example of local collaboration at our Ghent headquarters is the use of purified wastewater from nearby apartments in our production process, while the excess heat from our factory is redirected to heat those same apartments.
Christeyns have always been frontrunners in the ecological field. Years ago, we launched the Green’R product line: a high-quality, Eco-label compliant range that covers all aspects of the cleaning process, from textile care and floor maintenance to kitchen hygiene. This includes superconcentrated products designed for on-site dilution, reducing the transport of water, and bag-in-box systems that minimise plastic use.
In a completely different area, we are also rethinking the chemical foundations of cleaning. Traditional detergents often rely on fossil-based ingredients with a high environmental impact. We are now exploring biobased raw materials with a lower ecological footprint and investigating how enzymes can help maintain cleanliness in a more sustainable way.

What’s the biggest challenge – and the biggest opportunity – when it comes to developing more sustainable cleaning solutions?
What we now refer to as sustainability has long been part of Christeyns’ DNA. Well before it became a widespread focus in the industry. There is no common language or standard yet to objectively compare sustainability performance.
For example, a low-quality detergent with a high water content may claim a low carbon footprint per litre, yet it fails to meet essential quality standards. Fortunately, ecolabel certifications provide a more reliable benchmark, as products must comply with strict and standardised ecological criteria.

Can you share an example of a recent innovation that contributes to our sustainability goals?
We recently launched our Rapid-O system for On-Premise Laundries. This device was developed through close collaboration between our Christeyns Engineering and R&D teams. The system enables a reduction in washing temperatures, resulting in significant energy savings, while still ensuring clean and soft laundry.

How does R&D contribute to the operational growth of our business unit across different markets?
At Christeyns, our R&D teams are closely connected to all key stakeholders, including customers (via our sales teams), production, quality control, and regulatory departments. Our strong ties with regional sales teams also ensure we stay attuned to emerging market trends and evolving customer needs.

What are the key R&D priorities to ensure we’re future-ready?
With growing regulatory and sustainability demands, a lean and flexible product portfolio is essential to respond quickly to a changing environment. This is where the harmonisation project plays a key role.
As we aim to be a sustainability frontrunner, we closely monitor new biobased raw materials entering the market. Some are identical to traditional fossil-based molecules, requiring minimal reformulation, while others bring entirely new properties. Since detergents are complex blends, we must learn how to combine these new ingredients into high-performing formulas.
A further challenge is that these alternatives often come at a higher cost, while customers still expect consistent quality and competitive pricing. Organisationally, our R&D teams must remain agile, avoid duplication, and collaborate effectively across borders to meet these evolving challenges.
With the right mindset, strong collaboration, and a passion for progress, we’re confident that we can turn every challenge into an opportunity, to deliver even smarter solutions and to truly live up to our promise: Experts in Clean. Partners in Care.