HSBC Tower.

JLL and HSBC Clean for the Planet

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Introduction

Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) is committed to shaping the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technologies to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces, and sustainable real estate solutions for their clients. Their success is owed to their
ability to align with their clients’ goals.

Proudly the largest Europe-based bank, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) provides personal and commercial financial services to over 39 million customers globally, with networks covering countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. With great influence comes great sustainability goals: HSBC is committed to reaching carbon zero by 2030. To help them meet their targets, JLL has eliminated the use of various cleaning chemicals in the HSBC Tower in Downtown Dubai by switching to an environmentally sustainable alternative: tersano's Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO®) solution.

Overview

As an industry approved cleaner, disinfectant, and deodorizer, SAO® solution is

A natural oxidizer that kills up to 99.999% of germs.
100% biodegradable, reverting to water and oxygen.
A no-rinse solution, saving water and simplifying processes.
Produced on-site and on-demand, reducing carbon emissions and waste.
Safer for staff and guests with an SDS of 0-0-0.

"SAO reaffirms we have used a product that performs better than chemicals in every aspect of the value chain."

Anand Mungre
HSBC Account Manager
Jones Lang Lasalle Incorporated (JLL)

Project Scope

To ensure the successful implementation of SAO at HSBC, a 45-days trial was conducted involving collaboration between JLL, their commercial cleaners EFS, and tersano's local partner ES Limited. The goal of the trial was to demonstrate a level of cleanliness on par with or exceeding the performance of traditional chemical cleaners, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Methods

To confirm SAO's cleaning performance, multiple tests were conducted using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing meter. ATP is widely accepted as an effective assessment mechanism for the hygienic status of environmental surfaces. ATP measurements are expressed in relative light units (RLU) – higher RLU values indicate more ATP (more contamination), and lower RLU values indicate less ATP (less contamination). For the purpose of the trial the below categories were determined:

RLU Test Results	Category
Greater than 300	FAIL
Between 150-299	CAUTION
Less than 150	PASS
Less than 30	CLEAN

Throughout the trial, randomly selected surfaces on the 12th and 15th levels of the HSBC Tower were cleaned with the SAO solution. The process included dispensing fresh SAO solution into a tersano spray bottle, spraying a surface, and wiping it down. Various ATP tests were conducted on the cleaned surfaces to measure RLU. Results were documented for the purpose of conducting three official reports.

Results

Report #1

Two randomly selected tables on the 15th floor of the HSBC Tower were cleaned with SAO: coffee shop and meeting room. The results of the ATP tests are shown in Table A:

Table A

Location	Surface	RLU Reading	Grade
Coffee Shop	Table	2	CLEAN
Meeting Room	Table	7	CLEAN

“From the initial test, we can conclude that the cleanliness level is excellent,” Siegfried Poppe, Managing Director of ES Limited comments in the initial report, “JLL has asked to run the test for an additional two weeks to make final decisions and recommendations.”

Report #2

For the next assessment, three randomly selected surfaces in a 15th floor bathroom of the HSBC Tower were cleaned with SAO: a urinal, toilet bowl, and a sink. ATP results in Table B:

Table B

Location	Surface	RLU Reading	Grade
Washroom	Urinal	6	CLEAN
Washroom	Toilet Bowl	10	CLEAN
Washroom	Sink	0	CLEAN

In addition to the bathroom surfaces, the coffee shop and meeting room tables from the Report #1 were cleaned with SAO and ATP tested a second time. Results in Table C:

Table C

Location	Surface	RLU Reading	Grade
Coffee Shop	Table	2	CLEAN
Meeting Room	Table	7	CLEAN

After the secondary tests proved successful, the SAO trial continued to the final phase.

Report #3

The final report recorded a comparison between the performance of SAO and chemicals in cleaning two randomly selected bathroom floors: one on the 12th floor and one on the 15th floor of the HSBC tower. Three ATP tests were taken and documented – (1) an uncleaned section of bathroom tile, (2) a section of bathroom tile cleaned with chemicals, and (3) a separate section of bathroom tile cleaned with SAO. ATP results in Table D.

Table D

Location	Surface	Uncleaned	Chemicals	SAO	Grade
Washroom	Floor	217	50	25	CLEAN

“We did ATP tests multiple times and we had great scores,” remarks Anand after the final report, “When we compared it to chemicals, SAO scored better.”

“The team noticed a clear improvement in carpets,” Mungre states, “On a specific floor, a carpet that was dull due to chemical cleaning, after repeated uses of tersano, got back its original color.”

Discussion

Qualitative evidence of the trial’s success was additionally obtained by way of visual observations and verbal remarks made by staff on the performance, cost-savings, and sustainability of the solution.

Performance

EFS staff commented that SAO had revived the color and softness of carpets that had previously been treated and damaged by chemical shampoos.

“The team noticed a clear improvement in carpets,” Mungre states, “On a specific floor, a carpet that was dull due to chemical cleaning, after repeated uses of tersano, got back its original color.”

Cost-Savings

Because SAO replaces various chemical cleaning products, ES Limited projected inherent cost-savings for HSBC. An analysis was compiled detailing the chemicals that SAO would replace, which equated to 67% of the previous inventory. Beyond direct costs savings, HSBC would also enjoy indirect cost-savings. With an all-in-one solution, there is no risk of wrong application and product waste. SAO is no-rinse
all-in-one solution, thereby saving time and labor. Cleaning equipment and surfaces maintain their quality as SAO solution is non-corrosive resulting in less machine downtimes, replacements, and repairs.

Sustainability

To HSBC, one of the most important aspects of the implementation of SAO was to support their goals to be carbon neutral by 2030. Comments made by JLL and EFS confirmed that SAO’s Green Seal certification and carbon reduction supports and aligns with their sustainability targets. The chart below is an example of tersano's CO₂ reduction in comparison to a leading manufacturer of traditional cleaning chemicals:

Most importantly, SAO helped us contribute towards chemical and CO₂ reduction goals set by HSBC,” writes Mungre in reflection of the trial, “This helps them get closer to their goals of being carbon neutral by 2030.”

Conclusion

After the 45-day trial drew to a close with great success, JLL confirmed the implementation of SAO throughout the entire HSBC Tower in Downtown Dubai
and throughout HSBC subsidiaries in the UAE. The story of HSBC Tower in Dubai exemplifies JLL’s commitment to supporting and aligning with their clients’ values, goals, and visions in every aspect: selecting properties, managing spaces, and even the everyday task of cleaning.

"From the final test, we can conclude that the cleanliness level is excellent and consistent over the duration of the trial. EFS will deploy tersano SAO for the whole tower."

Siegfried Poppe
Managing Director
ES Limited

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