CARY, N.C.— October 25, 2021 — With enthusiastic participant registration and continued strong growth projected in absorbent hygiene & personal care markets, excitement is building for the seventh edition of Hygienix as it returns as an in-person event just weeks away, November 15-18, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
INDA reports that more than 300 participants have signed up to attend the conference with participation expected to approach pre-pandemic levels in the 500 range. Registration for Hygienix 2021 and tabletop display reservations remain open.
According to newly released market forecasts published by INDA and EDANA in the Global Nonwoven Markets Report: A Comprehensive Survey and Outlook, 2020-2025, absorbent hygiene — the single largest nonwoven end‐use category — is expected to continue its more than 20 percent growth over the next four years, creating market opportunities in this thriving area.
Hygienix Innovation Award Finalists
Among the conference highlights will be the selection of the Hygienix Innovation Award™. The three finalists are all tapping into key trends that are driving growth in this segment — innovation and sustainability — with products that promote health and a healthy environment.
The INDA/EDANA Global Nonwovens Markets Report found that “product innovation has been and will continue to be a driver in absorbent hygiene products, specifically the quest for discrete products that are thinner, quiet and odorless.”
Award finalists making presentations on Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m. include:
- Expandable Core Wrap from Curt G. Joa Inc. – Chris Nelson, business development manager, will provide an overview of this new patent-pending expandable core wrap design that allows the core to expand within the containment wrap as the product is insulted, regardless of the blended fluff and Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) ratio. The expandable wrap enables higher SAP cores, resulting in thinner, more absorbent hygiene products. Core materials stay contained within the wrap, reducing leakage risk, decreasing skin irritation, and improving skin health. The expandable core wrap design is available for product cores with and without channels.
- GlatPure™ Back Sheet from Glatfelter – Dr. Vishal Bansal, vice president, Innovation, will share how this product differs from most back sheets in today’s market that are made from plastic film and nonwovens such as Polyethylene (PE). Unlike materials that are comprised of fossil-fuel-based raw materials, the GlatPure™ back sheet is produced from natural fibers, resulting in the ability to be fully compostable and compliant with the European Single-Use Plastics Directive. This barrier sheet layer used in diaper, incontinence and feminine care products secures against leakage and provides reliable protection while remaining comfortable and discreet.
- Kudos Diapers from Kudos – According to Kudos Founder and CEO Amrita Saigal, a typical baby spends over 22,000 hours in diapers before potty training, making the material that touches their skin matter. Kudos is the first and only disposable diaper where baby’s bottom touches 100 percent doctor-recommended, carbon-negative, sensitive-skin-friendly cotton all day versus fossil-fuel-derived plastic. Kudos are four times more plant-based than the leading disposable diaper and their patent-pending DoubleDryTM tech builds in twice the absorption layers.
After seeing the products and hearing the finalist’s presentations, Hygienix participants will vote for this year’s Hygienix Innovation Award™ winner. The winner will be announced by INDA President Dave Rousse on Nov. 18, at 11 a.m.
The Hygienix conference program will focus on compelling topics including New Options for a Responsible End-of-Life; Product and Process Innovation in Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs); Haptics: Four Approaches to Assessing Feel, and E-Hygiene Advancements; Absorbent Hygiene Products Market Stats, Trends and Policy Insights; Feminine Care: Challenges to the Status Quo; and New Approaches and Unmet Needs in Baby and Incontinence AHPs.
The conference will also feature two nonwovens workshops, a welcome reception and opportunities for 60 tabletop displays with receptions. For the full program and latest speaker lineup, see the Hygienix website. Tabletop display reservations are still available and can be reserved by visiting Hygienix Tabletop Information.
Posted October 25, 2021
Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
