UNITI EXPO returned to Stuttgart from 19th to 21st May, bringing together the leading players in the vehicle washing and service station sector. ISTOBAL ESENS was present. With its own dedicated chemical product corner within the ISTOBAL Group's stand, the company showcased its most strategic offerings and left the fair with a very positive outcome.
UNITI EXPO is much more than a trade fair. It's the meeting point where manufacturers, operators, distributors, and major energy companies take the pulse of the sector, identify trends, and strengthen relationships. For ISTOBAL ESENS, participating in this edition had special significance: to present itself to the European market with a clear proposition, aligned with the two main pillars shaping the future of professional laundry: connectivity and sustainability.
And the context couldn't be better. The ISTOBAL Group closed 2025 with a turnover of €199 million, 14% more than the previous year, with a presence in more than 80 countries and a network of 17 international subsidiaries. A solid platform from which ISTOBAL ESENS projects its chemical offering to the global market.
Table of contents
- What took ISTOBAL ESENS to Stuttgart
- An event with many conversations
- Opening up towards major European oil companies
- UNITI EXPO 2026: a look to the future
What took ISTOBAL ESENS to Stuttgart
The ISTOBAL ESENS chemical product corner at the group's stand accurately reflected what is strategically driving the company at the moment.
Three proposals took centre stage in the space: the new Pure line eco-responsible product line, the Mirror Wax Candy Plus washing wax, and the Xtract Mixing System centralised chemical management system.
It's no coincidence that those three products were chosen. Each one addresses a real market need:
- Pure line: the growing regulatory and environmental demands.
- Mirror Wax Candy Plus : the demand for differentiated washing experiences.
- Xtract Mixing Systemthe need to reduce operating costs without losing control over the facility.
Together, they represent a complete vision of what professional chemistry should be today.
This presence was also part of the ISTOBAL group's overall proposal at the fair, which focused on connected solutions, digitalization and sustainability, values with which ISTOBAL ESENS is fully aligned
An event with many conversations
Beyond the products on display, UNITI EXPO 2026 was for ISTOBAL ESENS a unique opportunity for active listening and strengthening relationships.
The trade fair brought together sales representatives from several of the group's subsidiaries at the stand, including those from Germany, Italy, Denmark, and France. This meeting provided an opportunity to compare firsthand how the products perform in different markets, identify specific needs in each country, and pinpoint synergies that will guide future developments.
The distributor network also provided very valuable feedback on the performance of the solutions in the real market, – something that is difficult to obtain in any other way.
"Direct contact with customers, distributors, and partners has provided us with invaluable feedback on the performance of our products in the market. Furthermore, it allows us to identify emerging trends and needs in the sector, which is essential for guiding our future developments and continuing to provide innovative solutions."
Ángeles Olivares, Product & Marketing Manager at ISTOBAL ESENS
Opening up towards major European oil companies
One of the most outstanding results of participating in UNITI EXPO was the approach to the main European oil companies present at the fair.
These discussions open the door to future collaborations and joint developments in the field of chemical solutions, and place ISTOBAL ESENS before a promising horizon in terms of growth and high value-added projects.
"The trade fair has been key to strengthening our position in the sector and forging closer relationships with major European energy operators. We have had the opportunity to exchange views with leading oil companies, which allows us to move forward with new opportunities for collaboration and development in the medium and long term."
Lucas Serer, Director of Global Markets at ISTOBAL Group
UNITI EXPO 2026: a look to the future
ISTOBAL ESENS' participation in UNITI EXPO 2026 concluded with a very positive balance at a commercial and strategic level:
- New contacts generated
- Specific business opportunities identified
- Strengthened relationships with the international network of subsidiaries and distributors
- Strengthened ties with major operators in the European energy sector
But perhaps the most valuable takeaway was the confirmation that the direction is correct. Professional chemistry is moving towards more responsible formulations, smarter systems, and solutions that help operators better manage their businesses. ISTOBAL ESENS has been working in this direction for some time, and UNITI EXPO 2026 was the perfect opportunity to share this with the market.