Henkel’s Secret Weapon for Sustainable Laundry and Dishes

Germany-based multinational manufacturer Henkel has unveiled an AI-powered solution to the problem of measuring the correct detergent measure for laundry and dishwashers.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Henkel showed off its Smartwash Technology - an AI-driven, cartridge-based detergent dosing system that can power washing machines and dishwashers.

According to the company, the Persil and Somat Smartwash devices break ground for its autonomous sensing innovation, “dispensing the right amount of detergent at the right times during multiple wash cycles, delivering optimal results in any machine, existing or new”.

What is the secret?

Henkel's Smartwash laundry concept machine, showcased at the Venetian Expo, builds on the functionality of its smart devices.

Henkel says it demonstrates the “exponential possibilities for laundry and dish care”.

Frank Meyer, Corporate Senior Vice President and Head of R&D of Henkel Consumer Brands, said: "Our Smartwash concept leverages Henkel's chemical expertise, our understanding of our consumers and our ability to innovate at pace with AI technology.

"After years of internal development, now collaborating with industry partners is a pivotal moment. With Smartwash, together we will transform the laundry and dish care industry with elevated performance, more convenience and a lower environmental impact."

Backed by research

Research shows that consumers continue to seek better solutions to clean and care for their garments – particularly in terms of sustainability.

Just over 70% of consumers are unsure about which detergents to use and 57% do not know how much to dose.

Henkel says: “Smartwash solves all these issues by selecting ideal washing configurations for each load, for less work and waste and a new level of performance.”

Dorothee Boivin, Henkel’s Corporate Vice President of New Business and Homecare, is excited about bringing a co-created product to market.

She said: "Laundry continues to be viewed as a household chore filled with pain points.

“With Smartwash and our partners, we will reinvent the user experience by setting a new standard of clean and care, while offering a more engaging and personalised solution for consumers."

What makes it revolutionary?

Henkel has worked with Somat and Persil to create two smart detergent dosing devices, Somat Smartwash and Persil Smartwash. They have three selling points. They:

•  Automatically dose the right detergent at the right time
•  Optimise the user experience with easy-to-use cartridges
•  Deliver a new level of performance and sustainability.

Henkel is now having “in-depth conversations with industry partners to create the machine of the future”, it added.

Ulrike Sapiro, Henkel CSO, said: “Love this example of Henkel Consumer Brands bringing innovation, digitalisation and sustainability together to create tangible benefit for consumers and reduce resource use.

“At the Consumer Electronics Show, we launched a new Smartwash solution for more precise detergent dosage, supported by AI. Looking forward to seeing this in the market.”

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