Henkel made a bold return to CES® 2025 with the official unveiling of its Smartwash™ Technology, an innovative, AI-driven, cartridge-based detergent dosing system designed to optimize washing machines and dishwashers.
The launch of Persil® and Somat® Smartwash, which will target the European market in 2025, marks a significant milestone in Henkel’s quest to transform the laundry and dish care industries.
The Persil and Somat Smartwash devices break new ground in Henkel’s autonomous sensing technology. They ensure that the right amount of detergent is dispensed at the right times during multiple wash cycles, optimizing cleaning results for both existing and new machines.
The Smartwash laundry concept machine builds upon the functionality of these devices and demonstrates the exponential potential for revolutionizing laundry and dishwashing care.
Frank Meyer, Corporate Senior Vice President and Head of R&D at Henkel Consumer Brands, expressed the company’s excitement about the Smartwash launch: “Our Smartwash concept leverages Henkel’s chemical expertise, our understanding of our consumers, and our ability to innovate quickly with AI technology. After years of internal development, collaborating with industry partners is now pivotal. Smartwash will transform the laundry and dish care industry with elevated performance, more convenience, and a lower environmental impact.”
The Smartwash devices and their integration into Henkel’s future washing machines and dishwashers have generated significant interest from appliance and technology leaders at CES.
Research shows that consumers increasingly seek better solutions for cleaning and caring for their garments. Many are also unsure which detergents to use (71%) and how much to dose (57%).
Smartwash solves these issues by selecting ideal washing configurations for each load, reducing work and waste while providing a new level of cleaning performance.
“We are excited to bring this co-created product to market,” said Dorothee Boivin, Corporate Vice President of New Business and Homecare at Henkel. “Laundry continues to be viewed as a household chore filled with pain points. With Smartwash and our partners, we will reinvent the user experience by setting a new standard for clean and care while offering a more engaging and personalized solution for consumers.”
Henkel’s strategic direction with Smartwash is focused on addressing these challenges, creating an easy-to-use solution that delivers better results with less effort and helps consumers feel more in control of their laundry and dish care routines.
The excitement generated at CES around the potential for industry partnerships has set the stage for faster development and marketability. Henkel’s intent is clear: to bring greater value and impact to partners and customers more quickly, accelerating the adoption of Smartwash technology globally.
As Henkel moves forward with its ambitious plans for Smartwash, the company is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of household care. It will offer an innovative, AI-powered solution that meets both environmental and consumer needs.
