INDA’s second annual HYGIENIX conference drew over 525 leading professionals from across the absorbent hygiene and personal care supply chain to Orlando, FL, to advance their business with the newest and latest developments in this growing and largest of the nonwovens segments.

The HYGIENIX conference held last month featured some of the leading innovators from organisations that are revolutionising the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry.

They spoke on consumer needs, market statistics and trends, material and technology advancements, haptics for a competitive advantage, and disposable product end of life options. The Keynote presentation from Bruce Lavash, Research Fellow, The Procter & Gamble Company, focusing on consumer research insights and adventures, was well received, organisers report.

Discussions and meetings

“HYGIENIX 2016 exceeded my expectations with presentations that provided a diverse range of high quality marketing, consumer insights, and technical topics. Usually, I take away one or two findings, but this year I took away many more critical findings due to the high international presence, valuable program content, and representation from a diverse set of attending companies,” commented John F. Poccia III, Associate R&D Director, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

One key finding came from Brad Kalil, Director of Market Research & Statistics, INDA. Accoridng to Mr Kalil, capacity growth, rebounded in North America after the Great Recession, significantly impacted new capacity in 2012 through 2014 (only 110,000 tonnes), with a net capacity of 77,000 tonnes added in 2015 (2.7% annual growth), and forecasts of at least 148,000 tonnes to be added in 2016, (4.9% annual growth).

Bill Pedersen, Global Business Unit Director Disposable Products, Tietex International, Ltd. said: “Attending the HYGIENIX Conference allowed for three days of learning and out of the box thinking. Plus, the numerous informal discussions and meetings with suppliers, customers, and prospects provided a cost effective way to do business in the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets.”

Hygienix Innovation Award

An event highlight included the presentation of INDA’s prestigious Hygienix Innovation Award to Sustainable Health Enterprises, (SHE) for Go! Pads, a banana fibre-based, low-cost feminine pad that sustainably delivers affordable and much needed hygiene for women and girls in Rwanda.

“This year’s winner demonstrates the best-of-the-best for creatively expanding the use of nonwovens into a new application providing quality-of-life benefits for a group that greatly needs it. This combination of indigenous fibres and ingenuity is a great example of innovation in nonwovens making lives better,” said Dave Rousse, INDA’s President.

The other finalists for the award were: Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s Kleenex Exfoliating Cushions for facial cleansing; and H.B. Fuller’s Conforma Adhesive for disposable underwear.

On display

HYGIENIX also highlighted 54 tabletop displays representing the latest in products and processes from industry leaders and entrepreneurs. The displays were held in conjunction with two evening receptions attended by hundreds of professionals looking for new partnerships and collaborators.

“The conference format was both educational and informative, plus it provided time and the right environment for us to network and develop precisely those contacts we were seeking,” said Peter Littley, Business Development Director, Norkol Inc.

The next HYGIENIX Conference will be held from 6-9 November 2017 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, TX, USA.

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