#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2021-11-25

Hygienix™ draws nearly 400 participants to Arizona for premier absorbent hygiene & personal care event

Hygienix™ – the premier event for the absorbent hygiene & personal care markets – drew 390 enthusiastic global industry professionals for enlightening in-person conference sessions, workshops, award presentations, and tabletop receptions Nov. 15-18, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Among the event highlights were the presentation of the 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award™ to Kudos, the first 100 percent cotton disposable diaper, and the INDA Lifetime Service Award to Nick Santoleri, Chief Operating Officer of Rockline Industries.

In its successful post-pandemic return as a live event, participants from 17 countries enjoyed meeting face-to-face at The Westin Kierland in Scottsdale, AZ over three days of cutting-edge presentations at the conference and networking at the welcome and tabletop display receptions.

Kudos Diapers Wins 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award © 2021 INDA

“Hygienix is a very well-organized event where we can meet the industry’s thought leaders, get updates on the latest developments and make amazing networking connections,” said Anil Kirhalli, Sales and Business Development Director, Kansan Machinery Company.

The Hygienix conference featured 28 speakers on insightful topics including New Options for a Responsible End-of-Life; Product and Process Innovation in Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs); Haptics: Four Approaches to Assessing Feel, and E-Hygiene Advancements; Absorbent Hygiene Products Market Stats, Trends and Policy Insights; Feminine Care: Challenges to the Status Quo; and New Approaches and Unmet Needs in Baby and Incontinence AHPs.

“Hygienix provides an excellent forum for the hygiene industry with valuable information and data, as well as meeting new prospects and maintaining existing customer relationships,” said Mark Steinbrecher, Technical Sales Manager-Nonwovens, Optima.

To start the event, nearly 140 participants attended valuable short-course workshops on Absorption Systems for Absorbent Hygiene or Global Trends in Diapers, Baby Pants and Adult Underwear.

Innovation and Service Lauded

Dave Rousse, INDA President, presented INDA’s Lifetime Service Award to Rockline’s Santoleri for his industry leadership and advocacy for over 20-plus years. Named COO a year ago, he started with Scott Paper as a Drexel University co-op student and helped launch the first branded flushable wipes and refillable baby wipe packs. He has been involved with installing 16 new lines and four greenfield facilities and introducing over two dozen nonwoven-based products. Santoleri has also served on INDA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee as well as Chair of several industry event committees.

Amrita Saigal, Founder and CEO of Kudos Diapers, accepted the 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award™ for the pioneering plant-based earth-friendly diapers that are more natural for baby’s sensitive bottoms. The other finalists for the prestigious annual award were Expandable Core Wrap from Curt G. Joa, Inc. and GlatPure Back Sheet from Glatfelter.

INDA announced Hygienix 2022 will be held Nov. 14-17, 2022 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. To submit an abstract for a conference presentation, click here and visit the event website for developing details.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

INDA announces finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award. A highlight of the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Technology Conference, this award recognizes groundbreaking nonwoven-based innovations with the potential to advance the industry.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Cinte Techtextil China proves to be dynamic international platform and launchpad for new market potential

After three days of facilitating meaningful exchange for numerous applications of technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China 2025 concluded on 5 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Feedback across the fairground was highly positive, especially from first-time exhibitors and buyers who valued the platform’s capability to create new opportunities both in China and overseas markets.

T-CAN – Revolutionizing can transport

In virtually all spinning mills, transporting sliver cans is still done manually. Rising labor costs, lack of operators and increasing quality requirements make this a growing challenge. With T-CAN, Trützschler introduces a practical solution: a fully automated can transport system that will be presented live at ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore.

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

DuPont™ Nomex® plant in Asturias receives ISCC PLUS certification

DuPont announced today that its Nomex® production facility in Tamón, Asturias, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) certification. This achievement underscores DuPont's commitment to advancing its sustainability goals and building capabilities to provide reliable Nomex® solutions from sustainable raw materials worldwide.

From concept to stage: Submit presentations for the Techtextil Forum and Texprocess Forum 2026 now

Anyone who wants to contribute to shaping the future of the textile industry can submit a presentation for the Techtextil and Texprocess Forum by 15 December 2025. Both stages represent innovation and practical solutions and promote exchange between research and industry. An international Programme Committee selects the contributions and curates a programme on key future topics in the textile sector. From 21 to 24 April 2026, the two leading trade fairs will once again be the centre of global business dialogue in Frankfurt.