Making Way for Solutions Hygienix 2024

Driving Absorbent Hygiene Product Innovation: Consumer Desires, Market Dynamics & Sustainability Solutions

At 2024 Hygienix, being held November 18-21, 2024 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, TN, industry leaders will be sharing the future of consumer trends. Learn about what is shaping purchasing behaviors across the generations; discover the key factors that are influencing global markets; hear about opportunities in up-and-coming markets like pet care and wound care; and explore the latest insights in regulatory and legislative activities.

“For anyone involved in the hygiene or personal care product space the INDA’s preeminent Hygienix Conference is a must attend event,” emphasizes Tony Fragnito, President & CEO of INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. “In addition to in-depth training opportunities, product and material innovations and compliance and regulatory updates, this event brings the major players in the industry together for business development and networking opportunities.”

Discussions

on discovery and innovation include:

■ Price Tiering - Value vs. Cost-Consciousness

■ Shipping & Trade Impacts

■ FemTech - Consumer Insights & Mobile App Technology

■ Period Poverty

■ Pet Care - Markets Worth Watching

■ Adult Care Innovations & Treatments

■ UN Plastics Treaty

■ PFAS Regulations

Furthermore, the Hygienix Expo attracts top tier companies showcase their innovations during the open networking event. Emerging companies have launched their brands at the expo, and take advantage of the “lightning talks,” where they can share their innovative ideas with the industry. The Hygienix Innovation Award®, which is announced at Hygienix, supports these efforts with an opportunity to apply for the coveted award acknowledges the top innovation of the year.

Participation at Hygienix also affords an opportunity to take a deep dive into education in the pre-show workshops. “In addition to two and a half days of talks covering market trends, advances in materials, shifts in the regulatory landscape, and avenues to achieve more sustainable hygiene products,” says Matt O’Sickey, PhD, Director of Education & Technical Affairs at INDA, “Hygienix also includes three workshops on Monday afternoon before the welcome reception. These workshops cover absorbent system design and the specific challenges and opportunities in adult incontinent products, the changing landscape in menstrual care products, and an overview of the baby and infant care market provided by Diaper Testing International. These workshops and other INDA provided absorbent hygiene training events have helped kickstart the entrepreneurial efforts of new producers of absorbent products. It’s truly been a tale of going from the classroom to store shelves.”

To kick off the event, a discussion on the shifting sands of the hygiene world is explored. “I am honored to be moderating the opening session of Hygienix 2024, the first steps into our twoand half-day journey,” says Nick Carter, Head of Innovation at Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co. KG. “This session ensures that conference attendees are well grounded in the overall status of the ever-evolving Hygiene industry in North America, while building a backdrop of how other key geographic markets are approaching absorbent hygiene product performance linked to sustainability enhancements. By the end of the session, we will have set a framework of topics that each of the following talks will then further expand upon and develop.”

The event is crafted to ignite aspirations and goals for the industry, tempered with working examples of progress. “The goal we set for Hygienix 2024 is to deliver an agenda of forward-leaning perspectives and technologies that are balanced with practical, ‘here and now’ examples of commercial implementation,” Carter continues. The schedule includes speakers who will be sharing their real-world practices in advancing the absorbent hygiene product industry. “The intent is that attendees will return to their companies after the conference with expanded market understanding combined with actionable content that is both relevant and realistic.”

Panels and Sessions to Note

Tuesday, November 19

“The Sun Never Sets on the Hygiene World,” with moderator Nick Carter, Head of Innovation, Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co:

■ Shifting Sands in the Global Economy for Absorbent Hygiene Products, with Pricie Hanna, Managing Partner, Price Hanna Consultants LLC

■ Latest Development of Disposable Hygiene Products Industry in China, with Ashley Wang, Deputy Executive Chief Editor of Tissue Paper & Disposable Products Magazine and China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute Co., Ltd., China National Household Paper Industry Association (CNHPIA)

■ The Intersection of Nonwovens, Sustainability, and the Environment: An African Perspective, with Raymond Chimhandamba, Director, Handas Consulting

“What’s Keeping Us Up at Night,” with moderator Kyra Dorsey, Ph.D., Principal, Glory Group LLC:

■ The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty: Looking at the Potential for Global Plastics Policies, with Wes Fisher, Director of Government Relations, INDA

■ Business Not as Usual – The Impact of Reusables on the Absorbent Hygiene Market, with Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA

Create better strategies with the latest intelligence. Advance your business with industry leaders. Make your plans to attend Hygienix today.

“The Four Rs in AHP Design: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Recover,” with moderator DeeAnn Nelson, Ph.D., Senior Innovation Manager, Front-End Nonwovens Innovation, Avgol Nonwovens:

■ Capitalizing on Capabilities to Support the Shifting Hygiene Industry, with Jelle Westerterp, Category Leader Global Hygiene, Glatfelter

■ Utilization in Hygienic Incontinence Articles, with Chris Nelson, Business Development Manager, Curt G. Joa, Inc.

■ Synergy of Components - Upstream Advancements Offering DownstreamSustainabilityOpportunities,withNickCarter, Head of Innovation, Gottlieb Binder GmbH & Co. KG

Wednesday, November 20

“It’s Not a Stretch to Have a Fully Sustainable Product,” with moderator Vinit Singh, Ph.D., Global Innovation Segment Manager, Glatfelter Sontara Old Hickory, Inc.:

■ Shifting to Sustainability: Natural Fibers in Diapers and the Rise of Eco Brands, with Richard Knowlson, Principal, RPK Consulting

■ Connecting Consumer Insights with AHPs: Designing Elastics & Naturality, with Marcel Gruendken, Ph.D, Senior Manager EMEA, MD&TS, R&D and Regulatory Affairs, Kuraray Europe GmbH

■ From Farm to Fiber: Developing Elastane with 70% Renewable Content, with Melissa Stewart, Ph.D., Vice PresidentProduct Management, The LYCRA Company

“We’ve Got Skin in This Game,” with moderator Pavan Maheswaram, Ph.D., Market & Product Development ManagerFibers, Americhem, Inc.:

■ The Menopausal Skin Microbiome – What Do You Need to Know? Kristin Neumann, M.D., CEO, MyMicrobiome GmbH

■ Functional Substrates to Preserve Skin Microbiome Carmine Cimini, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer, Texol S.R.L.

Nov. 20 continues on page 42.

Hygienix™ Pre-Conference Workshop

Monday, November 18: Morning Session

“Fundamentals of Absorption Systems and Opportunities in Adult Incontinence,” with moderator Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC

This unique workshop will provide attendees an overall view of the basic concepts of absorption systems used in disposable hygiene products, focusing on the components and interaction of the absorption system: SAP, fluff, adhesives, and acquisition layers. Attendees will have the opportunity to evaluate SAP absorption for different SAP’s, identify the presence of adhesives, and deconstruct and examine several hygiene products including infant, adult, and feminine hygiene products to increase their understanding of these systems.

Monday, November 18: Afternoon Session

“Innovations in Menstrual Care,” with moderator Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC

This workshop will be a deep dive into period products, looking at the technologies as well as the change in attitudes that have driven the industry, to enable us develop better products for the future. Looking at this fascinating category

“Treatment Advancements & the True Cost of Incontinence,” with moderator Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC:

■ Latest Medical & Surgical Treatment for Incontinence, with Diane Newman, DNP, Adjunct Professor Of Urology In Surgery, University Of Pennsylvania, Division Of Urology

■ The High Cost of Adult Incontinence, with Andrew Stocking, Ph.D., CEO, Principle Business Enterprises from the eyes of product development, what can the past teach us about the future? Traditionally, it was challenging to innovate in a “silent” category, when no one wanted to talk about period products. For the future, how can the latest fibers, formats and consumer trends all fit together to build a product roadmap for your brand? Which products being used today are an echo from previous generations? …What we refer to as the “old-new.” Have we done enough to break down the taboos around periods, and what more can we do?

Monday, November 18: Late Afternoon Session

“Baby and Infant Care Market Dynamics,” with moderator Natalia Richer, Market Research & AHP Consultant, Diaper Testing International

The Diaper Testing International team will be dissecting all diaper components from major leading US brands and share insights focusing on nonwoven GSM and trends, materials that contribute towards key performance metrics and overall aesthetics. In this one-hour webinar that team will share learnings between premium and value brands in the U.S., correlate to their experience with other markets and include an analysis on overnight products. Separate Fee.

Register now at www.hygienix.org.

“There’s an App for That, with moderator Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC:

■ Nonwoven Period Care Products and an AI-backed Mobile Application to Diagnose Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, with Justyna Strzeszynska, Founder & CEO, Joii Ltd.

■ There’s an App for That! The New World of Incontinence Tech, with Rachel Braun Scherl, Managing Partner, Entrepreneur, SPARK Solutions For Growth

Thursday, November 21:

“Sustainable Solutions: Innovations in Bio-Based SAP,” with moderator Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA:

■ Exploring the Performance of Polyaspartic Acid Superabsorbents in Hygiene Products, with Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC

■ Comprehensive Sustainability in Hygiene Products: Exploring Biodegradable Alternatives and Circular Economy, with David Choi, Vice President - Marketing, SK Leaveo

■ The Final Frontier: A Bio-Based Source for Super Absorbents, with Louis Chapdelaine, Director of Consumer Products Development, ZymoChem

Each evening reception allows for networking around tabletop displays of leading industry companies. Find the list of exhibitors at https://www.hygienix.org/exhibitors.html. Register at https://www.hygienix.org

Suzano Completes Purchase of 15% Stake in Lenzing AG

Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, announced the completion of its acquisition of a 15% stake in Lenzing AG, the Vienna-listed leading global supplier of sustainable premium cellulosic fibers for the textile and non-wovens industry, from B&C Group. As announced in June this year, the transaction value is EUR 230 million (or EUR 39.70 per share). The agreement was subject to regulatory approval, which was granted without restrictions.

The long-term partnership between Suzano and B&C Group establishes that Suzano has the right to hold two seats on Lenzing’s Board and the option to acquire an additional 15% stake from B&C Group until the end of 2028. Following the sale of the 15% stake, B&C Group now holds 37.25% of Lenzing’s share capital. www.suzano.com.br

James T. Glerum, Jr. Appointed to the Board of Directors of Berry Global Group, Inc.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced that James T. Glerum, Jr. has been appointed to its Board of Directors.

With multiple production facilities in South Carolina and one in Brownsville, Texas, this investment expands capacity to meet growing production needs. All products will continue to be made in the U.S. while supporting industries throughout North America, South America, and Europe.

The two companies provide a seamless solution for textile recycling, from highvolume to specialty custom fibers, across industries including automotive, apparel, bedding, and acoustic insulation. A greater raw material base and production capacity will expand sourcing options for customers seeking quality recycled fibers.

Glerum, age 64, retired as Vice Chairman, Investment Banking at Citigroup in July 2024. Prior to joining Citigroup in 2011, Glerum held senior leadership positions in investment banking at UBS and Credit Suisse in Chicago and New York City. Over his 40-year investment banking career, Glerum executed more than 325 corporate finance and strategic transactions with an aggregate value of over $500 billion. Glerum’s clients spanned multiple industry sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, consumer and retail. Glerum serves on the board of trustees for several Midwest non-profit institutions, including Denison University, The Ravina Festival and The Griffin Museum of Science.

Glerum earned an M.B.A. from The Harvard Business School and a B.A., cum laude, in Economics and Mathematics from Denison University. www.berryglobal.com

RE&UP Wins ITMF Start-Up Award 2024

RE&UP Recycling Technologies, a leading innovator in scalable recycling solutions for Next-Gen fibers announced its recognition as one of the winners of the prestigious ITMF Start-up Award 2024. This esteemed accolade highlights RE&UP’s commitment to advancing more sustainable practices in the textile industry through groundbreaking recycling technologies.

The ITMF Start-up Award, presented annually by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), aims to honor start-ups that showcase innovative and transformative ideas poised to make a significant impact on the textile sector. This year’s award ceremony will be held during the ITMF & IAF Conference 2024 in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, co-hosted by the Uzbek Textile & Apparel Industry Association (UZTS).

Evonik and ICIG Complete Sale of Superabsorbents Business

Evonik has successfully completed the sale of its superabsorbents business unit to the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). The closing of the transaction took place on August 31, 2024, following approval by the competition authorities. Superabsorbents are powdered polymers that are used as absorbent materials in diapers and other hygiene products. The division generated sales of €892 million in 2023 and has around 1,000 employees. It includes three locations in Germany and two in the United States.

The unit is the second of a total of three parts of the Performance Materials divi- sion that Evonik has put up for sale. Following the divestment of the Lülsdorf site and its associated businesses (also to ICIG) and the sale of the superabsorbent unit, only the former Performance Intermediates business line is left. Here, Evonik is currently sounding out the market situation for a possible start of the sales process.

ICIG is an experienced chemical investor based in Frankfurt am Main. Together with the superabsorbent activities, the Group now generates annual sales of well over €4 billion at around 50 locations worldwide and with more than 7,800 employees. www.evonik.com

Kimberly-Clark Factory to Close in North Wales

Around 300 jobs will be lost at Kimberly-Clark’s wet-wipe factory in Wales, UK after the company announced it will be closing next year. KC said the closing will take place in 2025 and is a result of the UK government’s ban of sale of wet wipes containing plastics from mid-2026. KC said phasing out plastics from baby wipes is part of their sustainability plan, but it wasn’t possible to adapt the manufacturing process in Flint, North Wales in time, and the factory was therefore not viable. www.kimberly-clark.com

Three Finalists to Compete for the 2024 RISE® Innovation Award

NDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the finalists for the 2024 RISE® Innovation Award. On October 1-2, technology scouts, product developers, and business development professionals will gather at the James B. Hunt, Jr. Library, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, to explore groundbreaking nonwoven research and advancements. Finalists will present their innovations to RISE participants on Tuesday, October 1st. The Award winner will be revealed on Wednesday afternoon, October 2nd.

Meet the 2024 Award Finalists:

Dual-Layer Filtration Media by Ahlstrom Italia S.p.A. – Ahlstrom’s new duallayer filter media technology enhances engine air intake filtration performances, offering up to double the dust holding capacity and extending filter lifetime by