The cleaning products sector is built on high-volume consumption—large product ranges, frequent repurchasing and a significant flow of packaging and chemical ingredients. This combination makes the industry both a challenge and an opportunity in the transition toward circularity. As regulations tighten around packaging, chemical transparency and environmental impact, cleaning product manufacturers and retailers are under pressure to rethink how products are designed, documented and handled throughout their use.
Circularity offers a powerful way forward. With smarter packaging systems, better material choices and transparent product information, companies in the cleaning sector can reduce waste, recuperate materials, improve compliance and strengthen their competitive position—all while meeting the practical expectations of customers and professional users.
Cirmar supports cleaning product and equipment manufacturers, private-label brands and retailers in building circular strategies that are economically sound and operationally realistic.
Cleaning products often rely on complex formulations and multi-material packaging, making them a focus of emerging European regulations. Packaging rules are becoming stricter, pushing companies to reduce virgin plastic, increase recyclability, improve labelling and offer refill or reuse options where possible. At the same time, chemical transparency requirements are growing, with expectations for more accurate ingredient declarations and detailed environmental impact information.
While these policies can seem demanding, they also create fertile ground for innovation. When brands understand their products at a material and chemical level, they gain the insight needed to create solutions that are safer, longer lasting and easier to recover or reuse. Circularity is not only a sustainability ambition—it is a strategic tool for reducing costs, eliminating waste and building long-term customer trust.
The cleaning sector is uniquely suited to circular models. Products are typically consumed quickly, packaging cycles are short and purchasing is repetitive. This makes refill systems, reusable containers, modular packaging and optimised formulations highly effective in cutting waste and lowering costs. Many companies discover that, once they quantify the impact of their packaging and ingredients, the case for circularity becomes obvious: fewer resources used, less waste generated and a more resilient product portfolio.
At the same time cleaning equipment and machines often can be used longer than estimated. This requires both remanufacturing programs and another design approach. Cirmar has broad experience and an extensive network to help manufacturers to adapt their products to circular principles and make it work in practice.
Lastly, Cirmar helps companies map their product and packaging flows, assess environmental impact and identify what needs to change. Often, the biggest improvements come from redesigning packaging systems or introducing reusable components—changes that reduce long-term costs while increasing brand appeal. By connecting these insights to commercial and operational realities, we help companies move beyond incremental improvements and toward genuinely circular product lines.
“Not only the cleaning products themselves, but also the machines and equipment are important in creating a circular system: sustainability requires a broad approach.”
Frans Beckers
With upcoming EU regulations, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will likely become essential for a wide range of household and chemical products. Even before they become mandatory, the logic behind them is highly relevant: manufacturers need structured, accessible and reliable data about packaging, ingredients, environmental impact and circular options.
Cirmar helps cleaning product companies organise this data so that it supports both compliance and commercial ambition. When packaging and ingredients are documented thoroughly, companies can more easily redesign products, collaborate with recyclers, support reuse schemes and provide accurate information to retailers and end users. DPPs become a foundation for more transparent, responsible and future-proof product portfolios.
Regulation is a strong driver in this industry, but compliance alone is never the full story. The companies that lead the transition are those that view sustainability not as an obligation but as a route to better performance. Circular packaging reduces long-term costs. Clear ingredient data builds consumer trust. Consistent impact measurement enables better design decisions. Machines designed and built for multiple use periods, supported by a refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling program, reduce both capex and operational costs. And transparent information flows strengthen relationships with retailers, distributors and users in professional markets.
Cirmar guides companies through this transition with a focus on clarity, practicality and measurable value. We help cleaning product manufacturers translate sustainability goals into real change across development, sourcing, packaging, logistics and remanufacturing —ensuring that every improvement is aligned with both circular principles and business strategy.
The cleaning products sector is ready for transformation. With smarter design, transparent data and strategic circular thinking, companies can save materials, avoid impact, increase efficiency and build stronger customer relationships. Whether you’re developing new product lines, optimising packaging, or preparing for future regulatory requirements, circularity is the path toward a more resilient and competitive business. Cirmar provides the tools and expertise to make that path practical and achievable.
Our experts in circular cleaning are ready to transform your business.