Introduction

The 65^th SEPAWA Congress was held in conjunction with the 14^th European Detergents Conference (EDC) at the Estrel Congress Center in Berlin.

The change of the venue to Berlin was furthermore characterized by great acceptance concerning the number of congress visitors rising to over 3100 participants from more than 60 countries as well as the exhibiting companies with an increase almost 300 exhibitors. With these figures new records were reached of both participants and exhibitors.

A program of scientific lectures offered a broad range of comprehensive information on the characteristics and functions of surfactants and detergents, examining both the scientific basis of these products in the 14th European Detergents Conference, as well as the practical applications in the different sessions on detergents, cleaning products and cosmetics. The lecture series „Forum for Innovations“ featured 69 short presentations on new product developments, applications and procedures for detergents and cosmetics.