Over 450 professionals participate in WOW International Conference

Highlights of the conference included a powerful conference, award presentations, a separate 1.5-day WIPES Academy training course, and a new mentorship programme. WOW speakers focused on the future of the $17 billion wipes sector amid changing consumer trends, supply chain complexities, sustainable packaging demands, and medical disinfection challenges. Programme sessions included circular and sustainable wipes, supply chain challenges, sustainable substrates, disinfection concerns, sustainable packaging trends, and flushability developments, INDA said in a press release.

Tony Fragnito welcomed participants in his new role as INDA president for the first time since succeeding Dave Rousse, now president Emeritus and advisor. “WOW is the nexus for wipes professionals to convene and connect,” said Fragnito. “With powerful content addressing the key issues facing the industry – sustainability, economics, and supply – the conference was highly valued by participants to advance their businesses and the industry.” 

The event drew many positive remarks from participants for its business, networking and educational value. “We’re pleased with the networking, and our exposure to new business at WOW,” said Darrell Dean, programme manager, O’Neal, Inc.

“The World of Wipes always offers value for us every year. It’s never redundant. I wouldn’t miss it,” said John Patton, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Althea Laboratories.

The WOW event attracted 50 tabletop exhibits to create commerce with meaningful relationships throughout the entire wipes supply chain. WOW highlights included the announcement of Nice’ N CLEAN SecureFLUSH Technology Flushable Wipes from Nice-Pak as the winner of this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award for their flushable wipes made of 100 per cent cellulose nonwoven.

The World of Wipes Innovation Award recognised and rewarded innovation within the entire wipes value chain that expands the use of nonwovens through new fabrics or technologies.  

Other highlights included the presentation of the 2022 INDA Lifetime Technical Award to Richard Knowlson, Principal, RPK Consulting. The award honoured an individual with a long-established nonwovens career that advanced technology and the commercial success of the North American nonwovens industry.

Knowlson pioneered the use of powder super absorbents in airlaid forming systems creating new period product designs for ultra-thin products. He co-founded Airformed Composites, co-invented the first commercial multi-bonded airlaid products in North America that were used in characters for Sesame Street and served in leadership positions with Rayonier, Ciba/Huntsman and Jacob Holm.

Preceding the conference, Chris Plotz, INDA, director of education and technical affairs, conducted INDA’s WIPES Academy, the first and only comprehensive wipes training for the entire wipes supply chain. INDA announced that WOW 2023 will be held July 17-20, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)