Hygienix to focus on sustainability of absorbent hygiene

Featuring three days of programme content, scheduled networking, industry innovations, and awards, Hygienix will be devoted to the latest in sustainable technologies, emerging markets, converting challenges, product and technical innovations, and market trends in the absorbent hygiene and personal care industry.

The programme will have three keynote speakers. Marcus Eriksen, PhD, co-founder and director of research of the 5 Gyres Institute, will present how companies can address their part of the plastic pollution problem and minimise the impact of plastics in the environment. Karen Fingerman, PhD, professor, University of Texas at Austin, will discuss how gen x, millennials, gen y, gen z, and the new gen alpha all fundamentally alter society by differing in characteristics such as education, communication, values, marital patterns, and childbirth. Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO, The Shelton Group, will present new research indicating 40 percent of millennial women who expect to have a period are using or considering reusable period products.

There will be other notable presentations as well.

Mary Ankeny of Cotton Incorporated, will present the path of cotton and synthetic microfibres as they shed, enter waterways, and break down in different aquatic environments.

Yijian Lin, PhD, The Dow Chemical Company, will introduce designs for recycling and explain how creating a more 'mono' material can simplify the recycling process and improve chances of recyclability, content for every hot melt chemistry used, and SBS/partially hydrogenated resin hot melt chemistry.

Christophe Morel-Fourrier, PhD, Bostik, Inc, will explain megatrends and how substances of interest and recent concerns of trace level chemical substances present in baby diapers or femcare products have surfaced in the disposable hygiene industry and have shaken the AHP industry and its supply chain.

Sventlana Uduslivaia of Euromonitor International, will reveal the latest global consumer findings on green/ethical living, attitudes towards health and the environment, and perspectives on the definition of 'natural'.

Pricie Hanna and Colin Hanna of Price Hanna Consultants LLC, will present a play-book for how diapers must be manufactured, marketed and sold to millennial parents based on leading brand strategies.

Three finalists for INDA’s 2019 prestigious Hygienix Innovation Award, will present their game-changing innovations that use nonwovens and engineered materials in a creative, novel, and technically sophisticated approach on Novemver 12 for a conference participant vote. Finalists include: Regalite UltraPure (new innovative hydrocarbon resin from Eastman), Fitesa SMA Bico (new PE/PP spunbond and PE meltblown nonwoven from Fitesa), The Feur System from Vemarei LLC (new discrete fecal incontinence protection product).

The Hygienix Innovation Award winner will be announced on November 14.

Hygienix will also feature the presentation of the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award on November 12 to recognise an individual whose technical achievements have significantly contributed to the growth of the nonwovens industry. The event will also present the INDA Lifetime Service Award on November 13 to recognise an individual possessing a long-established record of service to INDA and the nonwovens industry as a whole.

Hygienix will open on November 11 with an optional three-hour workshop: Global Trends in Diapers, Baby Pants & Adult Underwear led by Carlos Richer, CEO/director, Richer Investment SA de CV.

INDA, the association of the nonwoven fabrics industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry in global commerce. Since 1968, INDA networking events have helped members connect, innovate, and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data, test methods, consultancy, and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing them the information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)