INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, wrapped up its 15th annual World of Wipes (WOW) conference from July 12-15 with a presentation of the World of Wipes Innovation Award to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the highest attendance record in six years.

This year’s WOW conference welcomed 475 enthusiastic professionals from 14 countries in person to Atlanta, Georgia, and the conference was notable as the first in-person conference in the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry in 500 days due to the pandemic.

“The enthusiasm emanating from the conference confirms the industry’s desire to return to person-to-person contact and experience high-quality programme content,” said INDA president Dave Rousse. “Critical face-to-face interactions and informed discussion of key issues are the core of meaningful business.”

Kimberly-Clark’s Scott 24-hour sanitising wipes won this year’s WOW Innovation Award. The annual award recognises the product that most expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness and technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain.

The pre-saturated wipes disinfect and maintain surface sanitisation for 24 hours, killing 99.9% of bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, enterobacter aerogenes and community-associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The patented formulation is found to be effective by the US Environmental Protection Agency for disinfecting on hard, non-porous surfaces against several strains of bacteria and viruses, including SARS-COV-2 when used as directed.

Other highlights included the presentation of the 2021 INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award to John Poccia.

“John is a stellar technical professional and contributor to our industry,” said Rousse.” His 40-plus year technical career includes a broad range of advancements in material science synthesizing superabsorbent polymers, and end-products of feminine hygiene, wipes, wound management and skincare at Johnson & Johnson. His efforts have advanced the nonwovens industry and INDA.”

www.inda.org