Oil&nonOil interviews Roberta Innocenti, National President of Assolavaggisti Confesercenti. During the discussion, she talks about the category’s point of view on some very topical issues, reporting on how the carwashing sector is constantly evolving: there are installations with innovative technologies that make it possible to reduce the consumption of detergents, water and, in some cases, to reduce energy consumption thanks to photovoltaic, solar and thermal systems. In the detergent sector, great strides have been made and, to date, detergents such as wax with nanotechnology with low environmental impact are available, also reducing the chemical impact on car paints.
Roberta Innocenti explains how it is necessary to meet the needs of car manufacturers because as the materials used in construction are no longer what they used to be. Today, in fact, matt paints and faux leather interiors are used that require a different and specific treatment.
A much-discussed topic is that of abuse and is causing concern in the sector. Assolavaggisti Confesercenti has immediately spoken out against this phenomenon, which spreads from north to south. Abusive practices are understood to be those washes that are not in possession of a Single Environmental Authorisation as would be required by Decree-Law 152 of 2006. Currently, the number of washes in possession of the certification is about 12,000, while the number of illegal ones is about 10,000. According to Innocenti, it’s economically damaging to the category and to the environment: the illegal washings discharge waste into the public sewage system while it should be treated as purified industrial waste. Inspections are carried out by the Carabinieri, resulting in the seizure and closure of the plant, but there are also problems with work safety. Often, in fact, the staff is foreign, and an estimated 20,000 workers are uninsured and exploited without protection and rights. The association, reports Innocenti, has written a letter to Minister Pichetto Fratin asking for a meeting to point out the phenomenon.
Roberta Innocenti goes on to talk about training, which is fundamental to develop a sector that is constantly evolving. Thinking of electric cars, for example, the approach towards these vehicles cannot be the same as for those with combustion engines. It would be desirable to arrive at a regulation that would provide, in addition to the Single Environmental Authorisation, other requirements such as competence, support; as is required for mechanics and body repairers.
Regular car washes are taking care of the environment and ecology by moving towards the ecological transition through the installation of photovoltaic panels and increasingly waste-reducing machinery. In addition, the car washes have for years installed sophisticated purification systems that enable them to recycle water up to 70% of the car wash’s needs.