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

Among the event highlights were the presentation of the 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award  to Kudos – the first 100% cotton disposable diaper – and the INDA Lifetime Service Award to Nick Santoleri, COO 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 over the three days.

“Hygienix is a very well-organised 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 for 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, the absorbent hygiene products market, stats, trends and policy insights, 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 at Optima.

To start the event, nearly 140 participants attended vshort-course workshops on absorption systems for absorbent hgiene or global trends in diapers, baby pants and adult underwear.

Dave Rousse, INDA President, presented INDA’s Lifetime Service Award to Rockline’s Santoleri for his industry leadership and advocacy for over 20 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.

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 sensitive skin. The other finalists for the annual award were Expandable Core Wrap from Curt G. Joa, Inc. and GlatPure Back Sheet from Glatfelter.

INDA announced that Hygienix 2022 will be held from November 14-17, 2022 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

www.inda.org