When choosing between liquids, gels, powder and creams in cleaning products, Nathan Sell, the director of regulatory science at the American Cleaning Institute, said it's ultimately about preference and what you're cleaning. "These different formulation types may have similar ingredients, but the way they are formulated makes them more adept at cleaning different surfaces," Sell said.

In early 2020 amid reports of how COVID-19 was affecting Asia, Clorox began to prepare for increased demand and changing consumer habits stateside by stepping up its supply chain, said Rick McDonald, senior vice president and chief product supply officer. The company added shifts and workers, raised its daily inventory targets and "brought on incremental contract manufacturers for Clorox disinfecting wipes to try and build more inventory," McDonald added.

Unilever has embarked on a mission of mindful marketing allocation and has put a focus on brand safety, participating in the Facebook boycott and developing a framework with Mindshare that urges the industry to employ responsible content and data practices, said Rob Master, vice president of media and digital engagement. During the company's 100-year history, it's evolved from focusing on fiduciary responsibility into a "much more holistic kind of consumer safety, industry ecosystem environment."

A study by Simon-Kucher & Partners revealed that guests will spend twice as much money at clean restaurants, ranking cleanliness above food quality. The survey polled 600 US consumers and consumers also ranked cleanliness and hygiene above taste.

Michal Freedhoff has been nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency's chemical office after holding the position in an acting capacity since January. The American Cleaning Institute said it hopes the Senate confirms Freedhoff quickly "so that we can all get down to work on issues that are vital to innovation throughout the cleaning product supply chain and discussions on science-based, consistent application of regulatory policy."

Reckitt partnered with Halo to search for an alternative active ingredient to kill germs by working with scientists worldwide. Reckitt wants a formula that will be just as effective as quaternary ammonium.

Saatchi & Saatchi New York created the "It's Our Home" campaign for Procter & Gamble that features a 60-second anthem spot starring galactic explorer Luisa -- a young girl who demands all earthlings take small everyday actions at home to protect the planet. The campaign aims to help consumers reduce pollution and waste, spotlights the company's pledge to be carbon neutral across all of its brands this decade and directs viewers to its P&G Good Everyday rewards program.

Hydrogen is an emerging fuel source for US crackers as the industry seeks opportunities to curb carbon emissions, said Ramesh Ramachandran of MEGVIN Advisors. Dow and partners are also working on a new process that would use hydrogen to convert ethane into ethylene.

ACI announced the appointment of Brennan Georgianni as Director, State Government Affairs. In this role, he will be responsible for the development and implementation of ACI's state government affairs advocacy and policy strategy. Brennan joins ACI from the Plastics Industry Association where he most recently served as Manager, State Government Affairs. "He will play an integral role in advancing proactive messaging regarding the impact of policy issues affecting the cleaning products supply chain," says Douglas Troutman, ACI SVP of Government Affairs. ACI news release.

ACI has launched Cleaning is Caring - a new campaign to communicate the value of cleaning in today's society as a way to protect one another from the spread of illness and encourage consumers to maintain proper cleaning behaviors adopted during the pandemic. The initiative is a reflection of new data that demonstrates a significant shift in consumer perceptions of, and motivations behind, cleaning. At the centerpiece of the campaign is a new national public service announcement (PSA), which will serve as a primary vehicle to carry the Cleaning is Caring message. View the new video here.