Interclean, the world’s largest trade show for the international professional cleaning industry, took place in the exhibition center RAI Amsterdam from 14 to 17 April 2026. Once again the entire sector came together to discuss current topics, trends, solutions and concepts. This year more than 900 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors from 140 countries attended the show.

Every day at the Werner & Mertz Professional booth, it was apparent that everyone had the circular economy in mind. Many visitors took the time to talk with the team about concrete challenges, new requirements and potential solutions. During info exchanges among experts and practical live demonstrations, at lectures and in interviews, guests at the booth had the chance to see and hear how sustainable product concepts can be effectively linked to powerful cleaning performance and how much strength can be tapped in sustainable ideas and solutions when they are rigorously implemented for a genuine circular economy. A dialog developed that has an effect way beyond the trade show.  

“It is our aim to actively accompany our customers on their way to a true circular economy,” says Thomas Ulbricht, Head of Werner & Mertz Professional. “When correctly and consistently implemented, sustainability is a driver of innovation – tangible, practical and effective. That’s exactly what we proved once again at this year’s Interclean.“

The new Zero product range generated great interest among visitors. Free of dyes and fragrances and yet high-performance, the product range stands for a decisive reduction to the essentials and targeted development for sensitive areas of application. In its 14 products Zero combines effectiveness with special consideration of users. This year Werner & Mertz Professional introduced the floor-mopping product TAWIP neo, which sets new standards: The innovative formulation based on water-soluble biopolymeres from chicory root in Europe uses no environmentally-damaging polymeres based on petroleum.

Another trade show highlight was the Green Care Performance Calculator, which impressively demonstrates how sustainability can be measured. In addition to its recently optimized design, the calculator was expanded to include two new metrics for reductions in resource consumption. They are specifically for the recyclable content of plastic in the hollow container and in the total packaging (i.e., hollow container plus the cap/trigger). With the help of this tool, companies can calculate and have certified the amount of CO₂, crude oil and plastic they avoid by using Green Care Professional products. That’s a strong signal of a company‘s transparency and responsibility. The smart dosing and refill system Switch, which received the internationally respected WorldStar Packaging Award early this year, was yet another subject of conversation. The innovative integrated dosing cap eliminates manual filling and the need for separate dosing equipment. The ultra-concentrated formulations for four different areas of application fulfill stringent sustainability requirements.

At a crowded Sustainability Stage, Werner & Mertz sustainability management expert Nathalie Schlimm gave a lecture “From waste to new materials” in which she explained how waste can be turned into a valuable resource and a real competitive advantage. The inspiring insights and concrete practical methods for a circular economy encouraged the audience to share their thoughts and take away the ideas on how sustainable practices create measurable added value.  

At this year’s Interclean, Werner & Mertz Professional celebrated and announced a major corporate success and record. Recently the company was the world’s first cleaning products manufacturer to achieve Full Scope Gold in accordance with the demanding Cradle to Cradle Certified® Standard 4.0 for its products MANUDISH essential, MANUDISH original and MANUDISH zero%. The products satisfy the strictest requirements for material health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. With the Full Scope Gold certification, the company sets a new international standard in responsible product development for the entire sector. 

Interclean 2026 was more than mere presence at a trade show for Werner & Mertz Professional. It was a place for information exchanges, inspiration and a shared look ahead – and a strong signal that sustainable professional cleaning is not a vision of the future, but rather a reality with Green Care Professional.

Record: Werner & Mertz Professional is the first cleaning products manufacturer in the world to have its products certified to the demanding Cradle to Cradle Certified® Standard 4.0 with Full Scope Gold. MANUDISH essential, MANUDISH original and MANUDISH zero% meet the highest requirements for Material Health, Product Circularity, Climate and Resource Protection, and Social Responsibility.

In all five assessed categories – Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship and Social Fairness – the products and the company attained the Gold level. Of special note, the Platinum level was awarded under General Requirements. This top score confirms exceptional transparency, robust processes and corporate action resolutely targeted to sustainability.

The success shows once again the leading role Werner & Mertz Professional plays in the development of circular and sustainable cleaning products. Thomas Ulbricht, CEO of Werner & Mertz Professional, describes the success as strong validation of the company’s chosen path. “We see the Gold certification under Standard 4.0 as convincing proof that we are leading in the credible implementation of sustainability. It’s a matter of course for us to combine ecological quality, transparency and innovative strength. That’s demanding, but it’s exactly what motivates us to keep going and to set new standards.“   

With Full Scope Gold certification, Werner & Mertz Professional sets a new international standard for responsible product development in the professional cleaning industry and proves by example that sustainable innovation and high quality requirements can go hand in hand.  

Learn more about the special criteria for Cradle to Cradle Certified® here – and discover in which aspects Green Care Professional even goes one step further.

The innovative dosing & refilling system Switch has won another award. This time around it’s the internationally renowned WorldStar Packaging Award.

Since 1970, the World Packaging Organization (WPO) has conducted the respected WorldStar Awards and conferred awards for outstanding packaging solutions from around the world. The WorldStar competition is among the organization’s most distinguished events. Considered the leading global honor for packaging design, the WorldStar Packaging Award stands for the continuous development of design and technology and sets international standards that the industry can use as orientation. Every year the WPO recognizes the most impressive innovations which not only address current challenges but also present pioneering solutions.

The innovative Switch System combines safe, efficient dosing that requires no additional equipment with the benefits of sustainable and reasonably priced refilling. The unique design of bottle and clever dosing mechanism with related refill pouch represents a complete and  revolutionary solution for the entire professional cleaning sector. All components in the system effectively contribute to the circular economy and set new standards for 100 percent recyclability and waste minimization. Ultra-concentrated formulations that satisfy the highest sustainability requirements are available for four different application areas. Because the bottle and the dosing mechanism are made 100% of recycled plastic, they are completely recyclable. The integrated dosing mechanism eliminates the interim step of manual measuring and prevents potential direct contact between cleaning personnel and the cleaning products. Users benefit from minimizing the danger of overdosing. No additional expenses are incurred for separate dosing accessories. Thanks to the integrated dosing mechanism and intuitive use, the cleaning process can be made more efficient. Within a short time cleaning personnel understand how to use the dosing aid and which direction to move the lever for the desired action. Users are familiar with the refilling process with the recyclable mono-material pouch from experience at home, so training effort and costs can be reduced.

This year the 48-member jury for the international WPO competition chose winners in 19 categories from 481 submissions from 35 countries. Switch received the WorldStar Packaging Award 2026 in the Household category. The official awards ceremony will take place during the trade show Interpack in Düsseldorf on 8 May 2026. 

> You’ll find more information about the repeatedly honored packaging victor here

Free of dyes and odorless, with maximum cleaning power: For the new zero% product range, Tana-Chemie developed cleaning products free of all dyes and fragrances with special consideration given to allergy sufferers. This new edition of the proven F-Range comes to the market under the Green Care Professional brand. It includes 14 high-performance cleaning and care products for use in bathroom, kitchen and buidling which completely dispense with fragrances and colorants.

Added value for sensitive areas

In addition, the formulas of zero% cleaners are consistently optimized for environmental compatibility. By eliminating these additives, the biodegradability of the cleaning solutions is further improved. All ingredients are also carefully tested for their ecological safety. All zero% products from the Green Care Professional brand therefore carry the renowned EU Ecolabel, which guarantees the highest standards for environmentally friendly formulations. Many of the cleaners have also been certified by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. This certification proves that the products meet the highest standards in terms of safe ingredients, resource conservation, and packaging.

A complete assortment

“With the zero% range, we are sending a clear signal for sustainable cleaning without compromise,” emphasizes Nerowski. “Our customers can rest assured that they are using safe, high-performance products that also make an active contribution to environmental and health protection.”