Staff Reports
Continuing updates on the global car wash industry:
New partnership to boost car wash in the Netherlands and Belgium
Dutch car care brand Cartec has entered a strategic partnership with the Wasstraatpas platform to boost the frequency of car washes and detailing services in the Netherlands and Belgium. T
he collaboration aims to support the professional carwash and detailing sectors while also appealing to DIY car enthusiasts. Wasstraatpas is a digital platform designed to make professional car washing more accessible for consumers.
The partnership includes an exclusive agreement covering Cartec Essentials products in the Wasstraatpas webshop and participating detailing businesses. This means customers can redeem their Wasstraatpas gift cards at locations that use Cartec’s car care products.
New car wash stations banned in Punjab due to water shortage
The Department of Environment has issued a notification enforcing a ban on new car wash stations in Punjab, the most populous province in Pakistan, with violators facing legal action under the country’s penal code.
The ban stems from concerns about water shortage in the province. Pakistan ranks among the top five countries most affected by climate change, experiencing significant temperature rises in recent years. Environmental experts warn that the country faces an increasing risk of floods and droughts due to these climatic shifts.
The Lahore High Court has enforced strict measures on water wastage, including penalties for excessive water usage and the establishment of new car wash stations.
Korean company BullsOne debuts new car wash cleaning tissue
BullsOne, an automotive care products company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, recently debuted its “Crystal Big Tissue.”
Developed by the BullsOne Research Institute, the car wash tissue can be used to clean and polish a vehicle using just one sheet. The tissue contains detergent for cleaning and waxing ingredients can be added to the cleaning agent to create a glossy effect.
The tissue can be used on a variety of surfaces (including high gloss and plastic) and works in extreme weather conditions.
City of Ekurhuleni promotes water conservation at car washes
A member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation for the City of Ekurhuleni, one of eight metropolitan municipalities in South Africa, is leading a campaign to get car wash businesses to contribute to a sustainable water use by adopting water-efficient practices.
Every car wash is required to apply for a water meter connection through the city. City officials are visiting car washes across Ekurhuleni to ensure proper connections, payment of municipal bills, and alignment with the city’s water policy.
Car washes are being asked to adopt waterless car wash solutions that clean vehicles without using large amounts of water.
Dysart proposes new gas station and car wash in Ellsworth
The planning board in Ellsworth, a village in Cambridgeshire, England, recently granted preliminary approval for a new Dystart gas station and car wash on a site on High Street.
Dysart proposes first clearing the area to build a convenience store, which will be flanked by eight gas pumps. A new tunnel car wash equipped with more advanced technology will be built to the left of the convenience store.
Finally, the company will build a 3,380-square-foot retail area consisting of two units to rent out to business merchants. Demolition is scheduled to start this summer if final plans are approved.
Haverfordwest builders’ yard to be turned into hand car wash
Pembrokeshire County planners have given the go-ahead for permission of a resident to use part of a builders’ yard/lorry park in Haverfordwest as a car wash facility, along with an associated waiting area/store and drainage mitigation system.
Works were undertaken at the site back in 2019 when the entrance gates into the site and the flanking walls were removed to carry out bridge improvements on the adjoining railway network.
The updated plans call for a one-way system with vehicular entry and exit off the existing access at Merlins Bridge.
Delhi considers banning car wash detergents to reduce river pollution
The Delhi government in India is preparing to impose a ban on soaps and detergents used in car washes to reduce pollution in the Yamuna River. The government claims the products contain harmful phosphates and surfactants that enter stormwater drains, contributing to toxic foam and reducing water quality.
Authorities believe this step is crucial in their efforts to clean the river, which has suffered from years of unchecked contamination. The government plans to launch an awareness campaign before implementing the ban, educating citizens on the environmental impact.
As an alternative, the government is considering setting up designated car wash centers near sewage treatment plants (STPs), which use treated wastewater to clean vehicles.
