Winners of the Purus Innovation Award (PIA) announced in Berlin. Jury chair Tanja Čujić-Koch, a member of the board of the Bundesinnungsverband des Gebäudereiniger-Handwerks and managing partner at Čujić Gebäudedienste GmbH, draws a positive conclusion of the Purus Innovation Award 2023: “I am thrilled with the expertise of my fellow jury members and their valuable contributions in the jury sessions. I was particularly impressed by the versatility and richness of ideas of the competition entries even within one award category. Today, I presented the Purus Innovation Award in the “Large Machines” category. The “Scrubber 50 Pro” cleaning robot impressively demonstrates that sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand: The robot uses AI to target stains for dirt removal, saves water and can even recycle it.” For the first time, there were six categories.This was the first time entries were submitted in six categories.
Floor-cleaning robot: very low water consumption and efficient AI-controlled spot cleaning
In the Large Machines category the winner was the Scrubber 50 Pro from Gausium (Gaussian Robotics Holdings Limited), an AI-controlled floor-cleaning robot whose features include independently detecting and removing dirt spots. Its AI-controlled spot cleaning is an “impressive, sustainable and innovative feature“, was the verdict of the expert PIA jury. According to the manufacturer it makes the machine up to four times more efficient. The jury was also impressed by the battery’s long running time and the built-in water recycling system aimed at reducing freshwater consumption by up to 80 per cent. Together, these features prolong cleaning times. Furthermore, when fitted with cylindrical or disc-shaped brush extensions, the robot can be used to clean narrow spaces.
Walk-behind scrubber-drier – also for cleaning narrow spaces and under cabinets
The jury was equally impressed by the Scrubmaster B5 ORB 430 from Hako GmbH which won the Small Machines category. The walk-behind scrubber drier features an ultra-flat, triangular cleaning head capable of cleaning narrow spaces or areas up to 120 mm high under cabinets. The jury praised “the machine’s light handling and excellent ergonomics which make it easy to manoeuvre.“ The Hako scrubber drier features an “excellent scrubbing system and impressively flexible handling.“ Other convincing points were “a quick-exchange battery on the cleaning head“, its flexible cleaning capability and operator support.
An all-purpose mop: dry, damp and wet cleaning on a range of surfaces
In the Equipment category the winner was the UNIVERSAL ONe mop cover from VERMOP GmbH. According to the jury, “the Vermop ONe allows dry, damp and wet cleaning on a mop with low grammage.“ With its “excellent absorption of dirt particles”, the mop can also be used in hygienically sensitive areas, even with the Twixter system. Advantages include the low purchase cost and sustainable material usage: the UNIVERSAL ONe consists of 75 per cent recycled plastics.
Recyclable: hygienic paper from miscanthus
In the Washroom Hygiene category, which was held for the first time, the Purus Innovation Award went to BlackSatino GreenGrow hygienic paper from WEPA Professional GmbH. This hygienic paper is produced from renewable raw materials, which makes it sustainable according to the jury. BlackSatino GreenGrow consists of 50 per cent recycled paper. The remaining 50 per cent comes from miscanthus, or Chinese silver grass. Miscanthus is a fast-growing plant with a high biomass yield which can be put to many uses, as an energy source, building material or packaging for example.
Flexible planning for optimised cleaning schedules
In the Digital Tools and Systems category the award went to Soobr AG for its AI-driven Soobr – Smart Cleaning planning tool. The PIA jury praised the Smart Cleaning platform for its optimised and needs-oriented building cleaning planning and for ensuring transparency with its online service directory. Soobr Smart Cleaning’s aim is to replace inefficient, rigid cleaning schedules with flexible planning. AI-driven data analysis means that cleaning now only takes place when strictly required. This allows companies to adapt to fluctuating office building occupancy for example. The cleaning staff obtain their schedules from an app, which also receives their feedback.
The Cleaning Products category is another newcomer to the Purus Innovation Award, and was won by ECOLUTION FLOOR PODS from DR.SCHNELL GmbH & Co. KGaA. The pods, which dissolve in water, contain a cleaning concentrate which reduces the carbon footprint, avoids packaging waste and reduces storage space, was how the jury commented its decision. According to the manufacturer, the transport and storage volume of the highly efficient pre-portioned pods is reduced by 50 per cent, packaging waste by 90 per cent, and the carbon footprint by at least 44 per cent.
A total of 83 entries took part in this year’s competition, more than at any previous event. The Purus Innovation Award is among the most coveted honours in the cleaning industry. It recognises products, tools and systems products, tools and systems which feature excellent usability and an outstanding overall design.
At the end of the Purus Award ceremony, the jury gathered on stage with all six winners.