Record Attendance for 2023 ACI Convention

With the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the cleaning industry got back to business last month. The annual meeting and industry convention of the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) attracted more than 1,100 executives from around the world. Attendees heard the latest news about regulations in the US and abroad, consumer trends and formulation ideas during the week-long event in Orlando.

In her State of the Association address, ACI President and CEO Melissa Hockstad noted that ingredient communication, specifically the need for a federal ingredient communication policy, remains a top priority for ACI. In an effort to achieve that, last year ACI held a congressional briefing, engaged with more than 45 congressional offices of members who sit on key committees, conducted an advertising campaign that coincided with new member orientation, published thought leadership pieces from member companies about ingredient communication, and directed targeted communications to key stakeholders. At the same time, ACI’s Future Leaders committee developed “What Cleaning Ingredients Do,” a new research tool for consumers that is intended to improve transparency. The tool is a simple, searchable database of chemical ingredients commonly found in cleaning products.

On the regulatory front, throughout 2022, ACI met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a range of issues including Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), sustainability, plastics recycling, climate change and environmental justice. ACI also urged members of Congress to provide necessary funding to ensure EPA’s chemical safety office gets the resources it needs to ensure innovative, safe cleaning products quickly reach consumers.

“As we look to the year ahead, we will continue to enhance our EPA engagement on important issues to both the administration and the industry to maximize our impact,” added Hockstad.

As it visits with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the surrounding agencies, ACI is reminding officials of the impact the cleaning products industry has on the US and all 50 states. ACI’s most recent economic analysis report notes the nearly $60 billion cleaning products industry creates 66,000 jobs. Moreover, the report details that the combined upstream and downstream economic impacts connected to cleaning product manufacturing in the US helped support nearly $200 billion in annual output and almost 700,000 jobs.

At the state level, in New York, ACI is leading an industry coalition focused on issues around implementation of New York’s 1,4-dioxane regulation. ACI finalized two manuscripts that will help guide science-based implementation of those regulations in NY. This includes the development of a methodology to measure 1,4-dioxane at low levels in complex mixtures. In California, ACI and its allies defeated a bill on proposed microplastics legislation to ensure it did not negatively impact cleaning product formulation and innovation. Throughout the US, ACI is representing the industry on extended producer responsibility and post-consumer recycling proposals.

Sustainability Initiatives

ACI continues to push forward with impactful industry action on sustainability. The Association is committed to uniting its supply chain on issues such as increasing transparency, reducing emissions, valuing nature and supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“We must move forward with bold action and focus—it’s an industry imperative,” asserted Hockstad. “We were busy in 2022. We continued to build member engagement with our climate and packaging initiatives. More companies joined the 1.5°C Climate Challenge which challenges members to align their climate strategy and targets with reaching net-zero global emissions by 2050.”

At the same time, ACI set an ambition for all cleaning product packages to be circular by 2040.

To promote these and other efforts, ACI published its sustainability report, which highlights the essential role the US cleaning products industry has played in combating the pandemic and underscores industry efforts to increase transparency, and to reduce emissions and packaging. In conjunction with the sustainability report publication, ACI led the #OurFutureIsClean social media challenge. Member companies showed how their employees help to create a cleaner and more sustainable future. IFF won the challenge and ACI donated $20,000 to Dig Deep, a human rights non-profit organization working to ensure universal access to reliable and safe water and wastewater services in the US.

Leading with Science

Science has always been a pillar of the Association and the cleaning industry. ACI’s topical antiseptics program is working to ensure the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the safety and efficacy data it needs and ensuring customers continue to have the access to these hand hygiene products. In 2022, ACI completed major efficacy studies, submitted manuscripts for publication and regularly engaged with FDA. Hockstad called the activities critical to preserve market access for topical antiseptics. 

Also in 2022, ACI launched a new version of its web-based iSTREEM model that estimates the concentration of a chemical that goes down the drain and residual levels that subsequently enter the aquatic environment. 

“The tool, along with corresponding manuscripts and ACI-led educational courses, are building positive momentum with a host of federal and state agencies,” explained Hockstad.
On the topic of microbial cleaning products, ACI worked with its European partners, AISE, on a risk analysis guidance, and is developing consumer-oriented communications regarding microbial-based cleaning products.

“Our leadership in the scientific space grows stronger each year,” asserted Hockstad.

At the same time, she acknowledged that partnerships play a key role in the Association’s success. Hockstad cited ACI alignment with the National Association of Manufacturers and Fragrance Creators Association, as well as the International Network of Cleaning Product Associations (INCPA). ACI is a trusted partner with federal agencies, too. The Association was again named an EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year. ACI also continues to collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the Healthy Schools, Healthy People program. 

Ongoing Efforts

Hockstad urged ACI members to seize the positive momentum generated last year. In 2023, the Association’s focus is on four core pillars: 

• Business growth and innovation;
• Science;
• Sustainability; and
• Communications.

Sustainability; and Communications.

To grow and innovate, ACI will nurture impactful relationships, advocate for a fair and equitable legislative and regulatory environment, and accelerate growth and innovation across the cleaning products industry. 

“Under the new plan we will be doing more to convene, and to specifically convene a wide range of stakeholders for new cleaning product-focused innovation events,” explained Hockstad. “There is so much more exciting innovation going on in our world. ACI wants to continue to be at the forefront and to drive the industry forward.”

She credited, in part, the record turnout at the 2023 ACI Convention to cleaning product makers, chemistry producers and industry suppliers eager to roll out next wave of effective, efficient and sustainable products. To promote these efforts, ACI doubled its Innovation Showcase to help bring more new ideas and chemistries to market. The Association will enhance its advocacy focus on critical issues including the drive for a federal ingredient communication standard as well as packaging and chemical issues. 

Hockstad pledged that leadership in the scientific space will continue. ACI is committed to advance, promote and utilize science to drive informed dialogue and decision making. To do that, the Association will enhance state of the science, provide access to information and transparency, and advance understanding and alignment. 

Under the new strategic plan, ACI will do more to drive use of its research and tools, such as iSTREEM. The association will promote increased use and citations of ACI research by regulatory bodies, advocacy groups, scientific societies, news media and more. 

“This means continuing to be the scientific leader working for our industry,” she said.

Members want more proactive sustainability leadership from ACI. To drive and amplify impactful industry action to foster and shape a sustainable future, ACI will take longer-term initiatives like climate and packaging and drive more bite-sized, short-term actions and targets that will help reach its long-term goals. At the same time, ACI will do more to amplify the industry’s sustainability efforts and enhance consumers’ knowledge and adoption of sustainable cleaning practices, whether it’s washing in cold water, or understanding more about new and emerging sustainable cleaning practices and products, or other ways that they can make an impact. 

Tying it all together, Hockstad said more positive and proactive communication is critical. 

“Now more than ever, we want to proactively and transparently engage stakeholders to promote dialogue and increase understanding, knowledge and trust of our industry,” she said. “We will focus on increasing ACI’s ‘share of voice’ as a primary resource for cleaning product information. We want to continue to be the go-to source for the industry.”

At the same time, ACI will expand its strategic partnerships to collaborate with outside groups on joint initiatives. But at the end of the day, the strongest partnership is between ACI and its member companies. In closing, Hockstad urged attendees to get engaged, tell others about the ACI success story and work together.

“ACI represents the front-line and the backbone of the cleaning product supply chain,” she concluded. “Together, we will continue to make a positive impact in our consumers, customers and communities around the world.” 

Ecolab’s Steve Christenson Receives Distinguished Service Award       During the annual meeting, ACI President and CEO Melissa Hockstad presented Steve Christenson with the ACI Elva Walker Spillane Distinguished Service Award. Prior to his recent retirement, Christenson was Ecolab’s senior vice president, global regulatory affairs and associate general counsel. During his 26-year career, he held leadership roles in both the regulatory affairs and corporate counsel space for Ecolab Inc. and within the cleaning products industry. In presenting the award, Hockstad noted that Christenson has a passion and energy for the cleaning industry. “Whenever I said, ‘Steve, I need help,’ he always stepped up. Steve has done a tremendous amount of work for our industry.” In accepting the award, Christenson acknowledged past honorees including Jack Linard of Unilever and Jane Hutterly of SC Johnson. He also noted that the former National Purity Soap & Company manufacturing site, Elva Walker Spillane’s company, is within walking distance of his home.  “I am deeply honored to join such a list,” he concluded. “Our industry protects people and the planet.” Below, ACI Board member Zoe Baldwin, global marketing manager, ethylene value chain, Shell Chemical LP, presents a check for $36,000 to Shawn Seipler, CEO & Founder, Clean the World, an organization with the goal of saving lives through the recycling and distribution of soap. Clean the World also brings water, sanitation and hygiene programming to millions of people.   The Charity Duck Race to benefit Clean The World started in 2013. Since then, ACI has raised more than $200,000. Indorama’s Top Duck (bottom) won the People’s Choice award.  Pilot Chemical’s Snowflake won the Duck Race.

Eric Reynolds of Clorox Elected ACI Chair Eric Reynolds of The Clorox Company was elected chair of the ACI Board of Directors during the ACI annual meeting. Eric Peeters of Dow Inc. was elected vice chair. Reynolds is an executive vice president and chief operating officer at The Clorox Company, while Peeters is Dow’s vice president of sustainability, performance materials and coatings. Also elected as treasurer during the board’s meeting at the 2023 ACI Convention was Suzanne Carroll, senior vice president, home and personal care, Nouryon. The new slate of officers was elected to a one-year term. The newest members elected to the board are Renee Henze, global marketing and sustainability director, IFF and Chris Housmekerides, senior vice president, research & development hygiene, Reckitt. “On behalf of ACI I would like to thank our outgoing chair, Wayne Ashton, vice president, home & personal care, IFF, for his leadership and many years of service on the Board,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI president and CEO. “He has provided valuable counsel and wisdom during his tenure and guided us through the turbulent times of the pandemic. ACI is proud of the breadth of high-level leadership represented across our Board and we look forward to a new year of innovation and success.” Here’s the complete ACI executive committee: Chair: Eric Reynolds, The Clorox Company Vice Chair: Eric Peeters, Dow Inc. Treasurer: Suzanne Carroll, Nouryon Members: Liliana De Stefano, vice president, North America, Consumer Fragrances, Firmenich Incorporated; Marcelo Lu, senior vice president, care chemicals, North America, BASF Corporation; Jessica McCoy, chief solutions officer, Gojo Industries, Inc.; and Luc Reynaert, chief product supply officer, Procter & Gamble.