The food industry is confronted with major challenges related to climate change, the ecological transition, and societal expectations in terms of food safety and environmental impact. Cleaning and disinfection processes, which often consume water and generate contaminants, are central to these challenges.

The aim of RMT Actia Chlean is to help companies towards sustainable, high-performance hygiene, meeting three main objectives:
- To study the impact of climate change on our production environment and the hygiene of production areas in particular from a microbiological and chemical standpoint.
- To contribute to better hygiene management through methodology and innovation.
- To improve the management of surface decontamination processes.

This RMT began its work in 2026 and is set to run for five years.

Workstream 1: The impact of climate change and the ecological transition on the hygiene of food preparation surfaces and production workshops: Studying the evolution of microbiological flora, sources of contamination, the identification of chemical hazards related to food contact materials, and the impact of the ageing of materials with a sustainable approach.

Workstream 2: The optimisation of and development of methods for managing cleaning/disinfection operations: Using life-cycle analysis methods to reduce chemical inputs, promoting the reuse of water, and innovating in technical solutions to reconcile performance and sustainability.

Workstream 3: Promoting and disseminating knowledge: Sharing the results in the form of publications, seminars, webinars, technical guides, and training to raise awareness and equip food industry players.