As Interclean Amsterdam nears, we’re taking a closer look at the trends we believe will shape the professional cleaning industry in 2026.
Sustainability is no longer a niche consideration. It is now a core requirement, driven by regulation, procurement standards, and customer expectations. Cleaning teams are now actively monitoring and reporting on waste-reduction and recycling initiatives to reduce environmental impact, applying ongoing pressure on companies to produce goods with recycled materials or lower plastic content in manufacturing. This mindset is increasingly shaped by UK legislation, including the Plastic Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility, and the upcoming Simpler Recycling rules, which take effect in March 2026.
Rather than seeing these as obstacles, Hillbrush uses them as a catalyst for innovation by reducing plastic across both packaging and product design. This involves moving away from plastic packaging in our Hygiene range and towards more sustainable options, such as biodegradable clear labels, while also developing lighter, less bulky products that use less material without sacrificing performance. Another key development is our transition from PVC to PET in our traditional fibre ranges. This change improves recyclability and aligns with broader industry initiatives to adopt more sustainable materials. These principles are reflected in our Hillbrush ECO Range, which utilises recycled materials while delivering the durability and reliability required for demanding professional environments.
Hygiene standards across sectors like food production, healthcare, and hospitality have become more stringent since the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies now need to enforce stricter contamination control measures and maintain transparent, auditable cleaning records to meet regulations and rising customer expectations. Hillbrush understands that effective hygiene management starts with choosing the right tools for each setting. Colour-coded cleaning equipment is vital for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring compliance with recognised food safety systems such as HACCP. Our Hillbrush Hygiene range is designed for these demanding environments, helping businesses maintain the lightest hygiene standards with reliable, long-lasting cleaning tools made from FDA-approved materials and built for full compliance.
In the food and beverage industry, this focus on hygiene extends beyond the tools themselves to their storage and handling. There is a growing emphasis on organised storage solutions, such as shadow boards, which help clearly mark tool locations, minimise contamination risks, and keep equipment clean when not in use, an approach reflected in Hillbrush’s bespoke, custom-designed shadow boards.
Every professional cleaning tool must be produced with precision, consistency, and reliability. Automation is increasingly influencing manufacturing, with industry reports projecting that over 28% of professionals will view robotics as a major trend in the cleaning industry by 2026. At Hillbrush, we invest in advanced manufacturing technologies to ensure top quality and efficiency. Our robotic brush production includes the German-made Zahoransky Z.Lion and Z.Tiger machines, designed for productivity and efficiency. This allows our smaller Boucherie machines to focus on shorter product runs, enhancing overall production flexibility. Additionally, automation improves workplace safety, particularly in processes such as trimming long-handled brushes, by eliminating the need to manually feed hand-trimming machines. By automating critical stages, we guarantee uniform filament placement and consistent product quality, providing the durability and performance that professionals rely on.
A major development in the professional cleaning industry is the shift from disposable tools to durable, long-lasting equipment. As organisations prioritise sustainability, they are more aware of the environmental and financial costs of single-use products. This shift is further reinforced by regulatory measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility, which incentivise producers to reduce single-use packaging and design products that are more reusable, recyclable, and resource-efficient.
At Hillbrush, durability is a core principle in our product design and manufacturing. Our cleaning tools are engineered to withstand harsh environments, providing reliability and extended use that help cut waste and reduce replacement frequency. Durable tools reduce replacement frequency, lower costs and promote more sustainable cleaning practices.
These trends will be front and centre at Interclean Amsterdam 2026, where the industry comes together to showcase the latest innovations and solutions. This year, Hillbrush is proud to showcase a selection of new products alongside the release of our new 2026 catalogue. Our innovations highlight key themes such as sustainable materials, durable design, advanced manufacturing, and professional hygiene solutions, all aimed at helping businesses adapt to modern cleaning challenges.