The cleaning industry is moving through one of the most dramatic transformations in its history. Chemical breakthroughs, intelligent sensors, robotic systems, and advanced microbial technologies are no longer futuristic ideas. They are converging right now to redefine how cleaning gets done.
For anyone trying to stay ahead of the curve, understanding these forces is becoming essential.
That is why Brandon Beyer, the technical development manager for Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, has a clear message for manufacturers, jansan distributors, and cleaning professionals: The pace of innovation has accelerated, and the interconnectedness of these technologies is reshaping expectations across the industry.
Beyer explained that his role centers on customer-facing technical support within Univar’s application development team. “Sometimes I joke, I’m the traveling chemist, the traveling nerd,” Beyer said. But his vantage point over R&D, formulation work, and industry trends offers him a front-row seat to the forces rewriting the playbook.
Chemical innovation
When asked about breakthroughs in chemistry, Beyer said the change is less about endless new molecules and more about how familiar chemistry is now being produced. “Chemical innovation isn’t always new molecules,” Beyer said. “A lot of times it’s new feedstocks, far more sustainable processes.”
That shift includes everything from bio-based inputs to surprising new sources—such as lower alcohols derived from soldier flies. These approaches allow chemists to recreate well-established ingredients using processes with smaller environmental footprints. Meanwhile, the rapid rise of biotechnology is fueling new enzymes and microbial offerings that enhance cleaning in ways traditional chemistry alone cannot.
Smart technology
Sensors, connected systems, and automated data capture continue pushing the industry toward verifiable, measurable cleaning outcomes. While smart technology is familiar in-home care, Beyer said industrial applications have been evolving for years.
“Smart technology helps you prove it,” he said. “We are cleaning. We’re proving we’re cleaning.” By linking equipment such as industrial washers to utility sensors, facilities can quantify water use, energy savings, and overall efficiency—something increasingly important as sustainability expectations rise.
In jansan environments, Beyer noted an ongoing challenge: The person buying chemicals is not always the same person paying the utility bills. Smart technology helps bridge that gap, making value more visible across organizations. He is especially watching the growth of hygiene analytics in environments like hospitals, where the consequences of inadequate cleaning are higher.
Biome control
The third major force shaping the future is biome control—the use of “good” microbes in cleaning products. These microbes behave like tiny enzyme factories that continue breaking down soils long after application.
“When they’re on the surface, they continue to clean,” Beyer said. While the terminology—microbial, bioenzymatic, probiotic—still varies, the concept resonates with consumers familiar with beneficial bacteria in gut health. The result is a cleaning system that works immediately and continues to work between interventions.
Robotics
Robots draw a lot of attention at events like ISSA Show, but Beyer emphasized that robotics is not separate from the chemistry conversation—they depend on it. “Getting more out of that robot requires a chemical solution,” he said. Robots also integrate directly with smart-tech systems, providing GPS validation, frequency tracking, and real-time performance data. When paired with microbial chemistries, they support a continuous-cleaning ecosystem.
What’s next?
Looking ahead five years, Beyer said one thing is non-negotiable: “Sustainability is not a flash in the pan. It’s not going away.” Customers want cleaner, more sustainable technologies—and they want proof, not marketing claims.
He also sees AI accelerating chemical innovation, robotics, and experimentation. “The last five years were status quo,” he said. “Then it just accelerated.”
His advice to professionals navigating this shift is simple: never lose sight of the fundamentals. “We’re all solving the same equation—temperature, time, mechanical action, and chemistry,” Beyer said. “And at the center of that wheel is water.”
As innovation accelerates, that timeless truth remains the industry’s foundation.
