\nAs 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.<\/p>\n
When you first got to know our product portfolio, what stood out to you the most? <\/strong> The new baseline for Professional Hygiene is \u201cExperts in Clean. Partners in Care.\u201d What does this mean to you, personally? <\/strong> How do you and your team make sure we truly live up to the name \u201cExperts in Clean\u201d? <\/strong> And how do you see our role as \u201cPartners in Care\u201d? What does that caring mindset mean in practice from an R&D point of view? <\/strong> You are a strong advocate <\/strong>for portfolio harmonisation. Why is this so important for Professional Hygiene? <\/strong> How are you approaching this harmonisation process with your team? <\/strong> How important is sustainability in your R&D approach today? <\/strong> What\u2019s the biggest challenge \u2013 and the biggest opportunity \u2013 when it comes to developing more sustainable cleaning solutions? <\/strong> Can you share an example of a recent innovation that contributes to our sustainability goals? <\/strong> How does R&D contribute to the operational growth of our business unit across different markets? <\/strong> What are the key R&D priorities to ensure we\u2019re future-ready? <\/strong> As we introduce our new baseline \u201cExperts in Clean. Partners in Care.\u201d 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, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":146982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1617],"tags":[3517,3515,3516,3518,3519],"class_list":["post-147741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-limpeza-profissional-pt-pt","tag-chemistry-pt-pt","tag-professional-cleaning-pt-pt","tag-professional-hygiene-pt-pt","tag-rd-pt-pt","tag-research-and-development-pt-pt"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nSeveral 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.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cExperts in Clean\u201d 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.
\n\u201cPartners in Care\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\nAlthough 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.<\/p>\n
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.
\nHowever, 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.<\/p>\n
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n
\nSustainability is embedded in Christeyns\u2019 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.
\nA 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.
\nChristeyns have always been frontrunners in the ecological field. Years ago, we launched the Green\u2019R 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.
\nIn 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.<\/p>\n
\n![\"R&D](\"https:\/\/www.christeyns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/STEVEN-DE-BACKER-300x201.jpg\")
<\/strong>What we now refer to as sustainability has long been part of Christeyns\u2019 DNA. Well before it became a widespread focus in the industry. There is no common language or standard yet to objectively compare sustainability performance.
\nFor 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.<\/p>\n
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n
\nAt 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.<\/p>\n
\nWith 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.
\nAs 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.
\nA 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.
\nWith the right mindset, strong collaboration, and a passion for progress, we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"