IP Cleaning: powering sustainability

Operating five production plants across northern Italy, IP Cleaning is a manufacturer of machines and equipment for professional cleaning, with its products currently being distributed in over 100 countries. Characterized by a strong focus on research and development and in particular environmental sustainability, the company offers innovative solutions across a wide portfolio of products. With several patents registered, IP Cleaning’s technologies have won numerous international innovation awards.

“Sustainability is a very important aspect of the cleaning industry” explains Federico De Angelis, CEO of IP Cleaning. “This means managing the consumption of water and energy and of course the use of detergent and chemicals. We feel that our focus on sustainability is something our clients value more every day.”

In 2016, the company estimates that its technologies saved energy equivalent to the annual consumption of around 360 000 refrigerators and enough water to match the consumption of 180 000 families. At the same time, the company’s Black is Green line introduced products made of 75% recyclable plastics.

In 2014 the company was purchased by Ambienta, a European private equity investment fund backed by EIF that focuses on companies driven by environmental trends. This in turn led to a crucial repositioning and relaunch of the business that allowed the company to boost growth and its presence on the global stage. “Ambienta wasn’t just a financial partner, but also a business partner, key to our success” Federico explains, “They helped us with our internationalization process and the internal reorganisation of the different departments, now under a single vision and brand identity. This helped us steer the company towards an attractive growth trajectory.”

Employing around 1100 persons, the company was sold to investors in 2017, as the business continues to grow internationally: “People can’t stop eating, drinking and cleaning. They simply can’t do it. So we will always need cleaning” Federico says, “It ensures better hygiene, fewer viruses and bacteria, less problems – overall a better quality of life.”

Company: IP Cleaning (Italy)

Type of business: Cleaning appliances and equipment

EIF financing: CIP GIF 2; RCR

Financial intermediary: Ambienta