Market and product

Compiled by Bao Hien

A major consumer goods company has partnered with a home appliance manufacturer to launch its first major-brand laundry detergent and fabric conditioner engineered specifically for washing machines with automatic dosing systems (auto-dose) — reflecting a new trend in the industry: detergent chemistry must now be optimized not only for cleaning performance, but also for compatibility with the motors, sensors, and pumping systems of smart washing machines.

The Technical Problem: Ordinary Detergent Doesn't "Flow" Correctly in Automated Machines

Washing machines equipped with automatic dosing systems let users fill a reservoir once with detergent solution — enough for about a month, based on an average of two to three wash cycles a week — after which the machine automatically dispenses the right amount for each load based on sensors that assess laundry weight, fabric type, and soil level, rather than requiring the user to measure manually every time.

The problem is that ordinary liquid detergent wasn't designed to perform reliably inside a reservoir and precision dosing pump system like this. According to a home care research and development specialist involved in the project, using standard detergent in an automated machine is a bit like using thick syrup in an espresso machine — the machine is built for a liquid with precise, consistent flow properties, not one that tends to thicken over time while sitting in a reservoir.

Using AI to Simulate Fluid Dynamics for Formula Design

To solve this problem, the manufacturer says it developed a proprietary formulation technology in which AI was used to simulate thousands of different scenarios, drawing on data about consumer usage habits, machine operating behavior, performance test results, and formulation variables — in order to pinpoint the exact fluid dynamics properties needed for the detergent to perform reliably inside an automated reservoir system, rather than being poured directly into the drum or a conventional dispenser drawer.

The first product line launched under this approach is recommended by the appliance manufacturer and compatible with all washing machine models equipped with reservoir-based automatic dosing. According to the manufacturer, the new technology helps maintain stain-removal performance and fragrance that doesn't fade across repeated automatic dosing cycles, while also helping prevent residue buildup inside the reservoir system — thereby helping protect the washing machine's lifespan.

Packaging Also Had to Be Redesigned to Meet New Technical Requirements

The collaboration between the two companies extended beyond chemistry into packaging design as well. According to the detergent manufacturer's marketing representative, one of the most important requirements identified in market research was ensuring there would be no spillage when users pour detergent into the machine's reservoir. Since the product doesn't come with a cap or measuring device like conventional packaging, the pouch was designed with a specialized plastic nozzle for precise, mess-free pouring.

On the environmental side, the manufacturer acknowledged there are still challenges around recycling the current flexible plastic pouch format, and said it is exploring alternatives such as PET bottles or paper pouches for the future — while describing the current packaging as the best technically feasible solution available at this time. On a more positive note, the company representative said precise automatic dosing by the machine could help reduce overall detergent consumption compared with manual dosing by consumers, who tend to overdose in many cases.

Market Size and a Few Skeptical Takes

According to the manufacturer, washing machines with automatic dosing systems currently account for about 14% of households in the US, with that figure projected to rise to around 20% by 2030; in the European market where the product was first trial-launched, household ownership of this type of machine currently stands at around 12%.

That said, not all reactions to the "smart detergent" trend have been positive. Several independent commentary pieces have questioned whether consumers genuinely need a detergent product marketed with such high-tech language, at a time when many household appliances today seem to require a "smart" label to sell — even for products as simple as laundry detergent.