Kärcher Blog International

The production of Tennant’s “processed water” as described in the brochure can be summarised as follows. An electric current from an electrolytic cell in the scrubber-driers used to break down tap water enriched with oxygen into acid and alkaline parts (ionisation). As soon as it comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, this so-called “electrically activated water” is said to break down dirt into smaller particles and dislodge it from the floor. It is claimed that after about 45 seconds this “activated” water turns back into normal water. All that remains in the machine’s dirty water tank is dirt and water.

Technically, water can indeed be ionised for a very, very short time in an electrolytic cell. However, ions characteristically combine into a neutral water molecule again immediately, within nanoseconds. The water is then back in its original state as far as its cleaning effect is concerned and no longer has any detergent properties.

Kärcher is taking legal action for unfair competition against three national Tennant companies that belong to the US Tennant Group. The subject of the dispute is false claims that Tennant makes in advertising for scrubber-driers that are equipped with the contentious ec-H2O technology. Tennant claims that this technology can use electrolysis to break down normal tap water into acid and alkaline components that then act as a powerful cleaning agent. Tennant also claims that its ec-H2O technology makes it its own powerful cleaner and there is therefore no longer any need to buy a floor cleaning detergent for the cleaning machines. Tennant also claims that the ec-H2O technology has proved its worth. These statements are misleading for customers and absolutely untenable scientifically. Tennant is thereby attempting in a unfair manner to set itself apart from its competitors – by making a customers a promise that cannot possibly be kept.