Competition for the 2017 World of Wipes Innovation Award has been narrowed to three finalists and attendees at the World of Wipes International Conference, which takes place from 12-15 June in Nashville, TN, will have key deciding votes in selecting the winner.

The companies and their innovations in the running for the prestigious award presented annually by INDA are: Berry Plastics’ Chicopee Microfiber Floor Care System, Elsner Engineering’s Glueless Tail Tie for rolled wipes and Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes.

The products all address previously unanswered needs in the marketplace, organisers report. They include Chicopee’s disposable microfibre mop that makes cleaning more hygienic, safer, and economical for facility managers; Elsner’s glueless rolled wipes production option that helps eliminates material compliance issues for wipes manufacturers; and Huggies wipes that address neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse concerns for the fragile, compromised skins of premature infants.

Voting at WOW

The World of Wipes Innovation Award recognises the product that both expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness and technical sophistication. Nominated products come from within the entire nonwoven wipes value chain.

In addition to the live voting, the INDA Technical Advisory Board and the WOW Conference Planning Committee will have equal one-third votes to the attendees in determining the top company for the prize. 

The award finalists will make their presentations on 13 June and the winner will be announced on the morning of 15 June, capping off the conference focused exclusively on wipes. Last year, more than 400 attendees from every area of the wipes sector were at WOW and INDA expects an equally strong turnout with the continued growth and evolution in this segment.

The product finalists selected from a broad group of international product nominations are:

Berry Plastics’ Chicopee Microfiber Floor Care System

Chicopee’s new short-term use disposable microfibre mops for cleaning aim to provide a total disposable solution for facility management and cleaning companies looking to improve hygiene or remove laundering of their cleaning materials.

The patent pending innovative Fluid Mopping System combines a light, ergonomically designed mopping tool with short-term use Microfiber Mops. The tool has a removable reservoir, which can hold up to 620ml of cleaning solution, and the user pulls the ergonomic trigger to release liquid as they clean. Up to 80% less water is used and chemical consumption is reduced, bringing cost and environmental benefits, the manufacturer reports.

The system combines the company’s unique APEX technology with splittable microfibre technology to create unique 3D materials, according to the company. The product enables damp floor mopping as opposed to wet floor mopping, which is important to help reduce the risks of slipping on wet floors while mopping in commercial settings.

Elsner Engineering’s Glueless Tail Tie for Rolled Wipes

Seeing the need for a method of controlling the tail of the wipes rolls coming off the machine as they transfer to automatic canister loading, Elsner developed its solution that doesn’t use glue. Due to compliance issues and other standards, many customers cannot add an ingredient, such as glue, to their products. With the use of ultrasonics, the tail of the nonwoven wipes is tied "closed" without an additive or any discoloration, the company explains.

The patent-pending design uses the minimum possible bond strength to avoid having a mass of wipes as the last of the product is dispensed from the canister, thereby enhancing the end-user’s experience with the product.  With no mess, pre-heat time, or consumable to deal with, the converter's efficiency, productivity, and ultimately, profitability is increased, according to the company.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes

Developed in partnership with NICU nurses, Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes are the first baby wipe specifically developed for premature skin, the manufacturer reports. These wipes address nurses’ concerns for the fragile, compromised skins of infant, such as underdeveloped stratum corneum, acid mantle, and the deficiency of structural proteins in the dermis layer of the skin.  

Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Wipes are designed to provide a gentle clean for babies’ skin. Intended for hospital use, the wipes gently glide across delicate newborn skin without leaving behind excessive wetness. Huggies Natural Care Extra Sensitive Wipes were created with a mild, water-based formula that is free of alcohol, fragrance, and dyes, according to the company.

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