Press Release

Dear members of the press,

Today, the focus at CMS Berlin is on cleaning public transport. Representatives from the transport and cleaning industries are networking in the Mobility Cleaning Circle. Throughout the trade fair, visitors can see how graffiti is efficiently removed.

Yesterday, the Purus Innovation Awards were presented across six categories. Regular tours take visitors to the stands of the nominees.

The KTV Working Drone is demonstrating how robotics and AI are changing the industry with a cleaning drone for roofs, solar panels and facades that can be controlled at the touch of a button.

We wish you valuable encounters, exciting discoveries and new insights.

Yours sincerely,

CMS Berlin Press Team

Healthier working and more sustainable cleaning: the winners of the Purus Innovation Award 2025

The challenges facing the industry are diverse and pressing: skills shortages, high staff turnover, heavy physical strain on employees, increasing price pressure and sustainability requirements. This year's winners of the Purus Innovation Award (PIA) have developed products, tools and systems that offer clever, forward-looking solutions for healthier, more sustainable and more efficient building cleaning.

A total of 63 companies submitted their innovations. Three were nominated in each of the six categories. The six winners were announced yesterday at the opening evening of CMS Berlin 2025 in front of around 280 invited guests.

“We were particularly impressed by the wide range of submissions this year. The selection process was challenging, but after intensive discussion, we were able to recognize those solutions that are particularly groundbreaking and impressively demonstrate how the industry is mastering current challenges in a variety of ways”, says Tanja Čujić, chairwoman of the eight-member jury, a board member of Federal Guild Association of the Building Cleaning Trade, and a managing partner at Čujić Gebäudedienste GmbH.

Ergonomic working with mini machines

There was a particularly large number of entries in the robotics/AI category this year, which was newly introduced, and therefore a particularly high level of competition. Alfred Kärcher impressed the jury with the KIRA B 200 scrubber-dryer. According to the company, this robot, which is designed for large areas, is the first to feature a bespoke operating system, enabling it to operate fully autonomously via a docking station. Its efficient and sustainable operation is enabled by a resource-saving water and cleaning agent system and transparent consumption control via an app.

In the 'Cleaning Machines' category, Wetrok won with its Spin BeFree mini scrubber-dryer. According to the developers, this mini machine is the first to combine an S-handle and brush-driven propulsion, enabling particularly ergonomic work without the need for pulling or pushing movements, or putting strain on the shoulders or back. It is also the only machine in its class with tanks that can be completely manually cleaned for maximum hygiene safety.

Barrier-free AI assistant

Paula, the AI assistant for building cleaners from PlanD and winner of the ‘Digital Tools and Systems’ category, facilitates digital collaboration. This mobile voice assistant makes all of PlanD's all-in-one software's digital applications easy, accessible and barrier-free for everyone, in 25 languages. Whether you need to view the duty roster, document defects or report sick leave, just a few words to Paula are all it takes.

Ophardt Hygiene-Technik won the washroom hygiene category with this innovation: PRAESIDIO Fuel Cell is a self-powered dispenser for touch-free hand disinfection. The device uses pure isopropanol (70%) for hand disinfection and, at the same time, uses a small amount of the alcoholic agent to generate energy via an integrated fuel cell. This eliminates the need for regular battery replacement.

Dr. Schnell advertises its MILIZID ONE, the winner in the ‘Cleaning Agents’ category, as sustainable and fair. According to the company, all of the raw materials used in the sanitary cleaner are sourced from renewable European resources. “Strict EU labour and environmental regulations form the basis for renewable and fair raw materials,” says Dr. Schnell. For the first time, methane sulfonic acid from mass-balanced biogas, non-ionic surfactants from insect oil, and perfume raw materials from a European renewable source are being used in professional cleaning. Some of these ingredients have been developed specifically for this product.

What should be done with old or shrunken mop covers? The answer is the size-adjustable FLEX-ON folding holder from ARCORA International. It can be adjusted continuously from 38 to 52 centimetres, making it compatible with covers that would otherwise have to be thrown away. ARCORA International was awarded first place in the ‘Equipment’ category by the jury for this innovation, which saves resources and reduces costs.

Mobility Cleaning Circle: Strong partnerships for clean public transport

What role do clean trains play in the mobility transition? According to the organisers of the Mobility Cleaning Circle (MCC), a great deal. Many passengers avoid trains or buses that are dirty, either inside or out — for example, due to graffiti. Hygiene and well-being are important factors in people's decision to use public transport.

Today, the Marshall House is therefore dedicated to cleaning public transport. At the fourth MCC event, transport company representatives will meet with cleaning professionals. The challenges are manifold and require targeted solutions. For instance, it is crucial to maintain the cleanliness of handrails and interior handles. Stubborn dirt on the outside must also be tackled. The removal of graffiti from both the inside and outside of vehicles drives up cleaning costs.

Efficient solutions, such as powerful cleaning agents and appropriate machinery, are required to minimise train downtime. Manufacturers and service providers will meet decision-makers not only during the networking event at the Marshall House between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., but also throughout CMS Berlin. Live graffiti removal will take place in the outdoor area throughout the trade fair. A tour of expert partners will start at 12:30 pm today at the Marshall House.

Drones in action: cleaning from the air

The facade of Hall 4 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds has probably never been cleaner. During CMS Berlin, the drone from the Norwegian company KTV Working Drone (Hall 2.2, Stand 181) will clean it during regular demonstrations. With a quiet whirring sound, the blue aircraft takes off and sprays a powerful jet of water onto the windows and masonry from a suitable height.

“This automatic high-pressure cleaning mode is suitable for soiled surfaces,” says Eliza Miszal Nilsen, Franchise Director at KTV Working Drone. “But we can also add special cleaning or impregnating agents to the water.”

Safe alternative

For Eliza Miszal Nilsen, the advantages of the technology are obvious. Eliza Miszal Nilsen believes that using drones to clean at great heights is safer than hiring industrial climbers to perform this task.

The drone is controlled from the ground. Sensor technology specially developed for this purpose helps to maintain the correct distance from the wall. In addition, the drone is attached to the roof by a patented safety system. The KTV Working Drone is already in use in 66 countries. As well as buildings, it cleans ships, aeroplanes and solar panels of dirt and dust.

The KTV Working Drone is constantly being developed further, for example for use at great heights or for applying paint. It is expected to perform an increasing number of tasks autonomously in the future.