INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is set to host the Hygienix 2021 live, in-person conference from November 15-18, 2021, in Scottsdale, Arizona for the global absorbent hygiene and personal care markets. The conference will focus on post-pandemic opportunities, sustainability, new technologies, and award-winning products.

The event will offer exciting opportunities for Hygienix participants to engage with new and existing customers in a face-to-face setting, and discover the latest innovations over four days at the Westin Kierland Resort. Highlights include two nonwovens workshops, a welcome reception, opportunities for 60 tabletop displays with receptions, eight intriguing panel discussions and presentations for the Hygienix Innovation Award and the INDA Lifetime Service Award, INDA said in a media statement.

As the market emerges from the pandemic, trends in sustainability such as replacing plastic with natural fibres, recycling and composting will present new opportunities that will be addressed by 30 presenters from industry companies. Conference participants also will discover how new technologies such as smart sensors and haptics, the use of technology that stimulates the senses of touch and motion, are helping to change the consumer experience.

Hygienix sessions featuring moderated discussions with industry-leading experts and Q&A opportunities are focused on new themes which include new options for responsible end-of-life, Haptics: Four Approaches to Assessing Feel, Products and Process Innovations in Global Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPS), Absorbent Hygiene Products Market Stats, Trends and Policy Insights, E-Hygiene Advancements, Feminine Care: Challenges to the Status Quo (presented in two parts), and New Approaches and Unmet Needs in Baby and Incontinence AHPS, according to INDA.

Hygienix will address the latest research and statistics including understanding the state of the nonwovens absorbent hygiene market, COVID-19 impact and baby boom or bust, direct-to-consumer winners, losers and insights, evolution of sustainable hygiene: opportunity, challenge, and future growth, single-use plastics policy developments in North America, understanding consumer needs and the desires when considering incontinence products.

Short-course workshops that will be offered as a separate registration are Absorption Systems for Absorbent Hygiene, conducted by Jim Robinson, principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights; and Global Trends in Diapers, Baby Pants and Adult Underwear, led by Carlos Richer, CEO/director, Richer Investment.

The seventh edition of Hygienix will feature three finalists to present their nonwoven technologies for the Hygienix Innovation Award, recognising novel nonwoven fabrics or technologies that expand the category.

INDA will follow all COVID-19 protocols, making hand sanitizers, face masks, and wipes available for participants. More than 240 professionals from 18 countries throughout the supply chain participated in last year’s virtual Hygienix format to comply with pandemic guidelines.