The symposium was jointly organized by RISI, based in Bedford, MA, US, and WTIN, based in Leeds, in the United Kingdom. The presidents of the two Chinese and US-based nonwovens industry associations, CNITA and INDA, Li Lingshen and Dave Rousse, kicked off the symposium’s first session with welcoming remarks.

Among the presentations were a paper by Jiao Yong, General Manager, Shanghai Fengge Nonwoven, on the development trends of fabrics for disposable hygiene products, and one by Huo Yisong,PhD, Sr. Director, Product Development – Asia, for PGI  on Asian hygiene market trends and nonwoven solutions. Marc Newman and Joanna Wang of Fitesa China offered delegates their perspectives on feminine disposable hygiene market and trends.

Raw materials

In the area of raw materials, Lenzing Group’s global director of business development for hygiene, Elisabeth Stanger, talked about Tencel Short Cut in Dispersible NW Fabrics: Meeting Consumer Needs by Combining Strength in Use with Dispersibility. 

Young Sam Kim, Research Fellow, Basic Materials & Chemicals R&D at LG Chemical, discussed the role of superabsorbent polymer in the development of hygiene products. Evan Yuan, hygiene technical manager of H.B. Fuller, addressed the topic of how adhesives contribute to hygiene product development.

Fibre suppliers

Two fibre suppliers addressed their specialties, starting with Robert Green, Global Business Director for Ingeo Fibers & Nonwovens for NatureWorks LLC, who spoke on Ingeo Biofiber Innovations in Fibers and Nonwovens.

In the same session, Arthur Nonni, Senior Director of Process and Product Technology for Georgia-Pacific, addressed Golden Isles COTM Fluff Pulp: Cellulose With a New Purpose.

Equipment technology suppliers

Among equipment technology suppliers, Amy Qian, Business Development & Marketing Director of Coesia China, presented a paper on how to seize the opportunity of adult incontinence product market development.

Weng Wenchao, Executive Director of Dilo Shanghai, discussed the new development of nonwoven machinery for hygiene products.

Broad sector

Themes relevant to the broad sector were addressed by several speakers. Among them was David Price, partner, Price Hanna Consultants, whose topic was Key Nonwoven Technologies and Capacity Developments for Hygiene Absorbent Products in Asia.

 Janet O’Regan, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Global Supply Chain Marketing for Cotton, presented a paper on Chinese Consumers and Hygiene Products: Shopping Behaviour and Brand Decision Making.

Du Jiaqi, Senior Research Analyst for Euromonitor International (Shanghai), set the tone early on by addressing Overview and Trends of China and Global Hygiene Market 2014, while RISI Economist Yao Han offered his perspectives on The Global Economy – Modest Improvement.

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