When it comes to the quality of detergent and cleaning products, one aspect is of paramount importance: do the substances ensure perfect cleanliness?
Hohenstein has been carrying out detergent tests for more than 50 years, thus making a significant contribution to ensure that the quality of detergents and washing agents is very high today. After more than 30 years, Roswitha Hild retired as the established head of detergent testing, and taking over as her successor is Dr. Eva Gierling from May 1st.
A lot has happened in the detergent market over the past 30 years. Among other things, Hohenstein has developed alternatives to the very time-consuming wash and wear tests, which have a duration of 22 weeks and thus represents a costly factor for manufacturers. New products also posed new challenges for the testing facilities. “In 1992, color detergents entered the market as powder detergents,” remembers Hild. “We had to develop new test procedures as, unlike heavy-duty detergents, they also contain an additive to prevent bleeding.”
Internationalization has also increased significantly in recent years: when it comes to detergent tests, many customers, including global customers such as Dalli Werke, Mifa and Chemolux Germany, have relied on the expertise of Hohenstein for decades. Dr. Gerling, who is a graduate chemist and has worked for Hohenstein since 2010, knows the industry: “Our customer structure is slow to change – once someone has worked with us, they often stay for decades.”
Hohenstein specialists still test the performance of products with tests of household laundry technology. By conducting comparative detergent tests, Hohenstein ensures improved market transparency, which consumers, retailers and manufacturers expect today. In this regard, practical organization of the test conditions and the inclusion of current standards and guidelines are particularly important.