Over 240 professionals from 18 countries throughout the supply chain participated in the sixth edition of INDA’s Hygienix, the premier event for absorbent hygiene and personal care markets, from 17-19 November in a virtual format to comply with pandemic guidelines.

The successful three-day Virtual Hygienix drew high praise from registrants for the premium content, engaging networking opportunities, and insightful market trends and forecasts. “Virtual Hygienix presented good topics, quality speakers and a means to network…it’s the next best thing,” said Tom Kaiser, Sr. Research Engineer, Domtar Personal Care.

“I appreciate the strong participation to spark dialogue and debate in the Virtual Hygienix platform,” said Wendy Warner, President, Personal Care, Jacob Holm Industries (America), Inc.

“For us the Virtual Hygienix is a great success!  We’ve made several business connections and had excellent discussions. It’s A1,” said Rocky Lane, Managing Partner, Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting, LLC.

“This has been a fabulous conference with great conversations,” said Claire Crunk, President, Southeast Hemp Fiber.

Session topics included: The Absorbent Hygiene Industry under COVID-19; U.S. Economic Forecast and Industry Statistics; Packaging and Labeling Challenges; Innovative Developments and Intellectual Property; Smart Diapers; and Principles of Sustainability and Elderly Care. Virtual Hygienix included presentations from 24 industry experts along with 6+ hours of virtual live personal engagement.

Presentation highlights included:

Colin Hanna, Director of Research, and Pricie Hanna, Managing Partner, Price Hanna Consultants – presented challenges, resiliency, and recalibration of sourcing and risk management strategies at multi-levels in the absorbent hygiene product supply chain.

Lindsey Piegza, Ph.D., Chief Economist, Stifel Financial Corporation, presented an outlook on the U.S. economy from a pre- and post-election perspective, including comments on a potential stimulus package and the impact of recent vaccine developments on the economic outlook.

Bryan Haynes, Ph.D., Senior Technical Director – Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark Corporation presented on the future of sustainable plastic alternatives and the impact of the European Union Single Use Plastics Directive on some of these alternatives, as well as Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s sustainability 2030 strategies.

Participants developed business relationships during networking opportunities that included: engaging conversations on selected topics, live Q&A sessions with each presenter, and open conversations during coffee talks, afternoon tea, and cocktail hour sessions.

One highlight of the event included the announcement of INDA’s prestigious Hygienix Innovation Award to Male Drip Protection from Dermasteel Ltd. – an innovative male leak protection product, with a patent-pending, proprietary design that is discreet, form-fitting, and tailored to the male anatomy. This new product provides effective containment of bodily fluids, protecting the wearer’s skin while affording him comfort and confidence.

Other nominees for the Award included a new class of adhesives, Full-Care 6217, from H.B. Fuller and High Gel Strength (HGS) SAF from Technical Absorbents Limited.

The next Hygienix is scheduled for November 15-18, at the Westin Kierland hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We look forward to gathering our industry professionals together for Hygienix and returning to a face-to-face format in 2021,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.

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