History
The wfk-cleaning technology research institute was established in 1949. In 1949 also the first conference (Referatetagung) on subjects from the field of cleaning technology was carried out. This conference was the predecessor of today´s wfk-International Detergency Conference (IDC), which is worldwide one of the biggest conferences in the field of cleaning technology. In the mid 1950ies household laundry technology was included into the work programme. In 1974 a department for dry-cleaning was established. Since 1991 the institute has been loosely affiliated to the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. It was renamed wfk-Cleaning Technology Research Institute. In parallel to this its scope was extended to hard surface cleaning (e.g. medical facilities, medical instruments and implants, clean rooms, industry, industrial parts) hygiene and environmental aspects. In 2000 the wfk-cleaning technology research institute moved from the old building at the Adlerstraße to a new building at the industrial estate Campus Fichtenhain in Krefeld. In 2001 the official opening in the presence of State Secretary Krebs of the State of North-Rhine-Westphalia, the Lord Mayor of the City of Krefeld, the Head of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and the President of the Association of Industrial Research Organisations (AiF) took place.
Premises
The new facilities comprise a total utilizable space of more than 3.600 m2. They comprise 1.300 m2 of laboratories with high quality scientific equipment as well as 400 m2 of office rooms, including a seminar room with 80 m2. A microbiology lab was established (class BSL 2 according to § 44 IfSG), which allows experiments using micro-organisms being pathogenic to humans.The new technical plant of 800 square meters comprises clean rooms as well as areas with a defined room climate for special investigations in the field of cleaning technology.The technical plant is used for semi-productive process studies and transfer of scientific results as well as training, being equipped with laundry and dry-cleaning machinery. Additionally cleaning devices using liquid carbon dioxide, plasma-technology and further modern cleaning techniques are available.
Legal status and scope
The institute is organised according to its statutes in form of a non profit member-based society to promote pre-competitive basic and applied research in the field of cleaning technology for textile and non-textile materials especially in the interest of small and medium enterprises. Consulting, training, general duties (standardisation, collaboration in technical and environmental regulations, technical basic support for installation of laws) are taken over in the interest of the associated businesses.
wfk-Cleaning Technology Research Institute
Campus Fichtenhain 11 - D-47807 Krefeld, Germany
Tel: +49-2151-82100, Fax: +49-2151-8210199, e-mail: info@wfk.de