The concept of self-cleaning and detergent-free maintenance offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs in a business service that is characterized by thousands of small operators. Provided that the chemical suppliers of the world opt for silicone treatments on structured surfaces instead of fluor chemistry, then a wide portfolio of new business models will soon impose themselves on the market. The application is not limited to cleaning, it also offers protection against fungi which under certain conditions cannot adhere to the surface. Today the application of technology inspired by an animal (snail) and a plant (lotus) is finding its way to building surfaces, solar panels, fabrics, medical equipment, and even traffic sensors and anti-icing equipment.

Whereas research funds are quickly flowing into a wide variety of commercial applications, and large chemical groups like Evonik (Germany) are joining the bandwagon, the real short term application is to design cleaning systems for offices and homes that eliminate the needs for contaminating chemicals. We should not forget that  simple cleaning works great when temperature, pressure and friction rises, and that the use of chemicals, even biochemicals on a daily basis should be the last resort, instead of the first option. This innovation gives rise to a new business model which is ecological, it is competitive and has the potential to generate jobs with higher revenues. In addition, it will provide smarter service content than the ones that are currently dominant in the cleaning industry today.

Pictures: StockXCHNG

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