Introduction

The annual meeting of the SEPAWA Specialist Group “Professional Cleaning and Care (PRP)” was held at the Inselhotel, Konstanz, 22^nd-23^rd March 2018. The event, chaired by Prof. Dr-Ing. Tobias Kimmel, had the theme “Exuberantly innovative – innovations and risks in professional cleaning.” The event was organised with the support of the Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.

Three of the seven lectures formed a themed session on the basics and applications of foams. Starting with the instrumental characterisation of foams (Dr. Willers, Krüss GmbH), examples of the application and use of foams in various areas were shown and typical laboratory measurement methods were presented (Dr. Tropsch, BASF SE). Finally, customer expectations and the influence of formulation on foam formation were discussed based on an example (Ms. Wehler, Zschimmer & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG).

Four further lectures explored current topics and trends. Examples of current research topics (Ms. Ettenberger-Bornberg, OFI Technologie & Innovation GmbH) and current testing methods for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces (Dr. Lorenz, Hohenstein Laboratories GmbH & Co. KG) were presented. The consequences of the unauthorised use of the insecticide fipronil for the cleaning of chicken coops were examined from an official perspective (Dr. Kühl, Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety).

Finally, an experimental lecture examined the risks of applying cleaning agents to plastics, which can lead to material failure due to stress cracking. An example was used to show how this effect can be reduced by adapting the formulation (Mr Göllner, hollu Systemhygiene GmbH).