A practical and strategic tool for all stakeholders, providing companies with a technical and operational guide. AFIDAMP organized a webinar, open to all sector operators, in which it officially presented the Position Paper on the Management of Combustible Dusts , the result of the joint work of the Afidamp ATEX Group , which involved member companies, certification bodies, notified bodies, and leading professional firms. A significant milestone made possible thanks to the commitment of members, the role of the association in international working groups, and the consolidated collaboration with organizations and institutions. The document, drafted in English to ensure international dissemination, represents a complete technical guide to systematically address the risks associated with combustible dusts in the industrial environment. The position paper analyzes the main regulatory references (EN IEC 60335-2-69, EN 17348, EN IEC 62784), delving into the differences between ATEX-classified environments and non-classified areas, and providing operational guidelines for the design, selection, and maintenance of dust extraction and collection systems, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. During the webinar, moderated by Stefania Verrienti, Executive Director of AFIDAMP , the document was presented by Alessandro Panico and Giovanni Tonelli who, representing the working group, highlighted the need for a shared and harmonized approach among the different players in the supply chain: manufacturers, users, certifiers, consultants, and standardization bodies. “Safety in the management of combustible dusts is not only a regulatory obligation, but a central element for industrial competitiveness,” stated Alessandro Panico . “With this position paper we want to promote a common language, helping companies to navigate standards, directives, and best practices, even in areas that are not yet fully harmonized.” The document was designed as a practical and strategic tool for all stakeholders: quality managers, HSE, maintenance, procurement, designers, and plant integrators. The working group also devoted attention to emerging issues, such as the management of hybrid mixtures, neutralization systems for self-igniting dusts, the proper selection of filtration class, and construction recommendations in the case of toxic dusts, flammable gases, or inerting agents. The project was made possible thanks to the collaboration of numerous experts and technical partners, including consultants and certification bodies, as well as several Italian manufacturers from the industrial vacuuming and cleaning sector. In this way, AFIDAMP reaffirms its commitment on the regulatory and technical front, supporting the evolution of the sector and the culture of safety . The document is available to members in the FORUM area of the AFIDAMP website, while a public version will be distributed to the main European stakeholders in the coming months.

AFIDAMP presents the results of the survey conducted by Cerved on the professional cleaning production and distribution sector, revealing a solid and dynamic landscape, ready to face market challenges with forward-looking strategies and a strong focus on innovation. An industry worth a total of €7 billion. Milan, July 7, 2025 – AFIDAMP, in collaboration with Cerved, has presented the results of its annual survey on the professional cleaning sector, carried out between April and June 2025. The study provides an overview of the production and distribution segments: an ecosystem that in 2024 was worth approximately 7 billion euros , standing out for its resilience, capacity for innovation, and increasing international openness. Many new insights offer an updated snapshot of the sector, valuable for understanding the evolution of demand and supporting strategic decisions based on concrete data. The survey was presented by Carmine Iuliano, Marketing Project Manager at Cerved , who illustrated the main dynamics of the sector, which overall shows great maturity and the ability to respond to the challenges of both the national and international markets, countering competition from emerging countries with even higher quality product offerings. The commercial network and marketing prove fundamental to the growth of both the production and distribution segments, as they are key levers for building solid, long-lasting relationships and for providing customers with all the information they need in their work. The qualitative and quantitative research was conducted through online and telephone interviews with company executives across the country, with greater concentration in Northern Italy.   The Production Market The overall value of the production market, emerging from the survey of 200 companies, amounted in 2024 to around 4 billion euros , in line with 2023. The Chemicals segment remains the most significant, with approximately 1.5 billion in turnover, followed by Machines with over 1.1 billion. Paper recorded a slight contraction, while Equipment, Fibers and Cloths , and Other Products maintained a stable or slightly positive trend. Exports continue to play a fundamental role, representing about 50% of total turnover. The international vocation is particularly strong in the Machinery segment, with a share of 67% , in Equipment with 57% and Paper with 55% , while the chemical segment remains mainly focused on the domestic market. The main reference market for companies in the sector is Western Europe, followed by Eastern Europe and the Middle East. To serve these markets, companies establish partnerships with local intermediaries and invest in international trade fairs, adapting their offerings to local regulations.   On the strategic and commercial level, there is a renewed central role for sales professionals, who, thanks to their skills and experience, are able to build significant business relationships. Trade fairs and in-person events also play a central role as privileged tools for promoting corporate values. Targeted digital communication is growing, while social networks are losing relevance. In terms of sales, 80% of companies rely on their employees, 70% on agents, while a decline is reported in e-commerce channels, especially third-party platforms. The main clients remain distributors, the preferred channel across all production sectors.   To face market challenges, companies alternate defensive strategies — such as customer loyalty and after-sales service — with offensive actions such as reinvestment of profits and expansion of their product range. The launch of digitalization and internationalization processes is significant. Artificial intelligence has entered the picture with concrete initiatives: already one in four companies began applications in 2024, particularly for supply chain optimization, predictive maintenance, product design, and quality control. As for services offered, pre- and post-sales consultancy remains dominant, followed by training, assistance, and rental. The main target sectors for production are industry, with a significant share in the mechanical engineering sector (60%) and the food sector (57%), as well as horeca and healthcare, which are growing strongly. Green products continue to make a stable contribution to turnover, although the share of companies with revenues exceeding 50% from them has slightly decreased. It is worth noting that, despite the growing presence of products from emerging countries, half of the companies have not changed their commercial strategies; the rest have focused on innovation, branding, and cost optimization. One in four companies has registered patents in the past five years, evidence of increasing investment in innovation and research.   The Distribution Market The survey also examined the role and weight of the distribution channel within the entire professional cleaning sector, through interviews with 250 companies. Here too, geographical prevalence is concentrated in the North, but with a more balanced distribution compared to production, including Central and Southern Italy. The offering of distribution companies remains broad and diversified, with a clear predominance of professional cleaning products (90%) , followed by equipment (70%) , machinery (66%) and rental services (53%) .   The total turnover of the distribution segment in 2024 was close to 3 billion euros , with a significant impact from larger, more structured companies: 15% of firms generate over half of total turnover. Chemical products are the most important in terms of average share of revenue, followed by consumables and machinery sales. Here too, the sector shows slight growth compared to 2023 , both in volumes and in internal structure. The market served is mainly regional, but the share of companies operating nationally and internationally is increasing. In terms of services, sales consulting absorbs the greatest number of working days per year, followed by maintenance, rental, and training. Internal training activities remain stable: about 75% of companies organize courses, mainly in commercial and technical-operational fields.   Customer bases are strongly rooted: about 70% of clients are long-term. The sectors generating the most value for distributors are professional cleaning companies (growing to 780 million euros), followed by industry (growing to 630 million euros) and horeca (stable at 520 million euros). The share of green products in distribution continues to rise, reaching an average of 14% of turnover. The most commonly used promotional channels are company websites , social networks and, increasingly, direct contact through sales staff. In terms of sales, direct sales by company employees are growing, especially in larger companies, followed by agents and physical stores. E-commerce is used by 26% of companies, with the greatest impact on chemicals and consumables. The main difficulties reported are shrinking margins, market fragmentation, and late payments, along with competition from non-specialist channels. On the other hand, strengths are identified in direct relationships with customers, strong territorial presence, and high sector specialization. Growth levers are seen above all in sales and marketing functions, with innovation in machinery also playing an important role. AFIDAMP highlights that the data collected confirm the resilience and vitality of the Italian professional cleaning sector, thanks to targeted investments, internationalization, and continuous dialogue with the market. AFIDAMP members have the opportunity to review the recording of the presentation by Cerved and download the full reports of the two surveys by accessing the Forum area of the website. Click HERE to directly access the recording and the links for downloading the reports.

At ISSA PULIRE 2025, AFIDAMP opened a dialogue with distributors with the aim of strengthening cohesion and promoting their strategic role in shaping the sector’s future. During the ISSA PULIRE 2025 trade show, AFIDAMP hosted at its booth the roundtable  “ Distributors at the Center: the Strength of Cohesion for Market Development.”   The event brought together distributors from the professional cleaning sector for an open and constructive exchange, highlighting their strategic role and promoting the importance of unity and collaboration for the growth of the entire industry. Many participants raised shared concerns, which the association has committed to addressing in support of the sector. All speakers — including Stefania Verrienti (AFIDAMP Executive Director), Roberto Galli (Chair of the Distributors Section and AFIDAMP Vice President), Virna Re (Vice Chair of the Distributors Section and AFIDAMP Board Member), Barbara Bottoni (Coordinator of the MEPA Focus Team), and Gianni Tartari (President of APICS) — agreed that the association represents a valuable opportunity for mutual growth across the industry. They emphasized that AFIDAMP serves as an essential point of reference both for institutions and for the market. Participation is therefore crucial: together, a strong and innovative network can be built, one that gives the industry a voice, creates value, and acts as a reliable counterpart for institutions and manufacturers alike. AFIDAMP recognizes the distributor’s central role in driving the sector’s growth and is committed to making them key players in strategic decision-making. The distributor is not only a bridge between product and market but also an ambassador of quality and of the social value of cleanliness. As Gianni Tartari, AFIDAMP Board Member and APICS President, underlined, training is essential: the creation of skilled, certified professionals capable of serving as authoritative points of reference for tenders and procurement processes. This call was further supported by Daniele Ricciardi, President of ASSORUP, who spoke from the audience to highlight the urgent need for specialized, technically trained professionals — particularly in the context of public procurement. The discussion was further enriched by the valuable contributions of Giuseppe Salerno (President of We Italia) and Paolo Forlini (President of Soligena). Through their case studies, they showcased the rapid acceleration of the market, the growing demand for professionalism, and the importance of collaboration. Both stressed the increasing complexity of the distributor’s role, which is now at the heart of ever more demanding dynamics. In this challenging and multifaceted context, industry-wide cooperation and association-based dialogue are vital. As Salerno and Forlini pointed out, AFIDAMP is uniquely positioned to act as a hub and driving force to reassert the distributor’s role as a highly qualified, specialized professional capable of delivering solutions to a constantly evolving market. 👉 Discover AFIDAMP’s services:  https://www.afidamp.it/servizi-convenzionati

A complete, practical, and informative tool to support the responsible adoption of autonomous technologies in professional cleaning. Technological innovation in the professional cleaning sector has led to the development of increasingly advanced autonomous machines, designed to improve operational efficiency, ensure operator safety, and reduce environmental impact. To explore and deepen this rapidly evolving field, AFIDAMP — through its “Autonomous Machines” Focus Team — has created a comprehensive Guide aimed at all stakeholders in the professional cleaning supply chain: from equipment manufacturers and distributors to end users. . “With this guide,” explains  Stefania Verrienti , AFIDAMP Executive Director , “we want to provide decision-makers in cleaning companies and end users with a practical, complete tool to understand the opportunities offered by automation. The goal is to facilitate the transition toward innovative technologies that boost productivity, guarantee high hygiene and safety standards, and minimize environmental impact.” The Guide offers an updated and in-depth overview of the technologies currently available on the market, with particular attention to regulatory requirements, safety practices, and social and environmental impacts. It is divided into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect. It begins with an analysis of the main types of professional machines — such as scrubber dryers, sweepers, and vacuum cleaners — highlighting their ability to automate repetitive tasks and optimize resources. It then explores navigation technologies and control systems that make autonomous operations possible, including the use of advanced sensors, navigation software, and reporting tools. The Guide also examines the broader implications of introducing autonomous machines, analyzing both the social and professional impacts as well as regulatory aspects, with a focus on workforce management and the upskilling required by this technological transformation. Stefano Grosso , Coordinator of the “Autonomous Machines” Focus Team, concludes:“ Automation should not be seen as a threat to employment, but as an opportunity to improve working conditions and raise the professionalism of operators. This guide is designed to support that transition, providing concrete guidance on the skills needed and the best operational practices to adopt.” HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE The  Guide to Autonomous Cleaning Machines for Professional Use  is part of AFIDAMP’s ongoing training and development initiatives and can be downloaded by completing a short questionnaire.