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Sustainability

When developing new products, wkw products ag's first priority is to choose ecological and social sustainability wherever possible.

Environment

It's also about the pollutants that are contained in plastics as plasticisers or stabilisers, for example, and end up in our environment at some point - whether as ground-up microplastics in the sea or as abrasion from carpets or car tyres.
Quote from Michael Braungart, Professor at the University of Lüneburg and Rotterdam, February 2018

For example, millions of wet wipes used today for personal hygiene are pre-moistened and packaged in plastic containers. They contain various chemical additives so that their shelf life can be guaranteed for at least one year. In addition, millions of plastic packs (usually only 42 per pack) have to be disposed of or incinerated.

History

  • 1973

    Founding of Werner Kaufmann AG in the construction and finishing industry, initially as a one-man business, then with 7 employees and 2 apprentices. General interior fittings and all types of staircase construction were carried out.

  • 1998

    In addition to the core business, Werner Kaufmann develops a dispenser for wet wipes for the private hygiene sector and has this technology patented. In 2004, around 4000 units were produced in co-operation with a Swiss manufacturer and a large proportion were sold through dealers. Unfortunately, the manufacturer made a manufacturing error, which resulted in sales stagnating and production being discontinued.

  • 2010

    Werner Kaufmann founds the company Richtsolar AG together with business partners. In co-operation with an electrical engineer, Richtsolar AG installs PV systems. In addition, Werner Kaufmann developed a non-current-carrying filling module (dummy module), which completes the appearance of photovoltaic systems in recesses in vapour pipes, chimneys, roof pitches, etc. The customised filling modules are now produced by a business partner in the solar industry. The customised filling modules are now manufactured by a business partner for the solar industry.

  • 2019

    The two companies Werner Kaufmann AG and Richtsolar AG are merged and wkw products ag is founded. The main focus of wkw products ag is the development of products in the hygiene and cleaning sector.

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  • Development and products

    Werner Kaufmann

    Even as a young entrepreneur, I was fascinated by products that solve existing problems in people's everyday lives or simplify existing processes. The same fascination and passion for problem solving still drive me today.development

Technology

New development

Sustainable solution for millions of wet wipes

A dispenser system that dispenses a fleece paper to the toilet user on demand without contact, which is freshly moistened as soon as it is dispensed and can be easily flushed after use. The fleece paper dissolves quickly after flushing and therefore causes no problems in the sewage system. This dispenser technology is the only one of its kind in the world and offers users great convenience during their daily toilet visits.

Vision

Wkw products ag has set itself the goal of solving this problem in collaboration with innovative nonwoven and paper manufacturers. To this end, Managing Director Werner Kaufmann has developed and patented the "wetpaper" dispenser system. The fleece and speciality paper used are 100% bio-based products without binders, chemical additives or adhesives

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Market

Global consumption of wet wipes has increased steadily in recent years and stood at around 1.4 million tonnes in 2018, which corresponds to a market volume of around USD 3.3 billion. The hygiene awareness associated with the "health" megatrend is likely to lead to a further increase in the consumption of wet wipes. Market research assumes average annual market growth of around 5-7 per cent between 2020-2024, over a third of which will be driven by Europe.

The problem

On the one hand, a significant proportion of today's wet wipes contain polymer-based plastics that are difficult to biodegrade and are deposited as a whole or in the form of microplastics in flora, fauna and humans. On the other hand, some water-jet-resistant, polymer-based wet wipes do not dissolve in wastewater. This leads to blockages in the wastewater systems and therefore to high costs. For example, 85 per cent of blockages in London's sewerage system are caused by wet wipes.

The annual cost of unblocking in London alone is around £12m.

Disposal costs of around £100 million are expected for the UK as a whole.

Solution

Thanks to the dispenser system described under Technology and the new non-woven and special paper, it is possible for the first time to moisten a "wipe" WITHOUT any additives (such as preservatives / PEG and PEG derivatives / fragrances etc.) using only drinking water with contactless dispensing.  

(See link research by Ann-Kathrin Ortmann 6 February 2021)

Questionable materials and ingredients in wet wipes - Ann's colourful science