Tork manufacturer Essity came away with two prestigious awards – including the overall Amsterdam Innovation Award – at this year's Interclean Amsterdam 2022 exhibition.
The company's Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth 99% biobased also won the Sustainability and Environment category award.
Anna Königson Koopmans, Essity’s Marketing Director, said: “Sustainability has become a significant factor in customer choices. The winning Tork Cloths are designed to maximise efficiency and deliver greater sustainability, while maintaining rigorous performance standards. We are proud to be named the category and overall winner of this year's Amsterdam Innovation Award.”
Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth 99% biobased is made from 99% plant-based fibres that have been sustainably sourced. Besides helping companies to reduce their environmental impact, it’s also low-linting and offers improved performance for absorption, durability, and solvent consumption. The cloths are interfolded for easier access and one-at-a-time dispensing. This means customers only touch what they take, reducing waste and cross-contamination.
The awards jury felt the winning product reflected Essity's core values. Michelle Marshall, Chair of the jury, commented: “The company takes a lifecycle assessment approach in the development of new products, and also seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. Essity can back up all its claims through independent certification – it is recognised and acknowledged by many organisations.”
The jury also noted that the compressed packaging of Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth 99% biobased makes for easier handling to facilitate the cleaner’s task. Michelle added: “Crucially, the product aims to help its customers reduce their carbon footprint too. The environmental impact of the packaging has not been forgotten, either – it's made from fibres that are 100% recycled and plastics that are at least 30% recycled.”
Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth 99% biobased was just one of many environmentally-friendly products and solutions being displayed on the Essity stand. Also demonstrated was Tork Vision Cleaning, the world’s leading facility management software solution. Tork Vision Cleaning uses people-counters and connected dispensers to provide real-time data on cleaning requirements. This allows cleaning teams to anticipate situations where enhanced cleaning or extra refill checks might be required.
The Tork Skincare range of soaps and hand sanitisers and the Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser were other highlights. Tork PaperCircle – the world’s first paper hand towel recycling service – was also showcased.
The Tork stand was busy with visitors throughout the four-day event. Pascale Wolleswinkel, Marketing Manager, said: “Everybody was happy to be here and to be able to look their customers in the eye again. It felt like coming home.”
Anna concluded: “The expectations from visitors, employees, cleaning staff, patients, facility managers, and facility service companies regarding cleaning and hygiene are higher than ever with a great focus on sustainability. The positive feedback we received from our customers, partners and other visitors during Interclean shows us that we are meeting and exceeding the needs for sustainable hygiene management.”
