Emerging technologies, new applications, and market insights are the focus of INDA’s World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference 2018. The event will deliver up-to-the-second insights for engineering new business growth from 5-8 June at the Sheraton Grand, Chicago, IL.

According to organisers, WOW 2018 promises to be the premier conference for over 470 senior wipes professionals during four impactful days of value added content and business connecting opportunities. “The programme captures the wipes industries latest market trends, developments in preservatives and active ingredients, substrate innovations, point of purchase decision drivers, and flushability,” INDA reports.

Conference highlights

The industry’s hottest topics for WOW 2018 include a leading keynote entitled Gen Z Deciphered: Insights and Strategies for Marketers by consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Golden Gate University, who details essential strategies for effectively marketing to this often misunderstood and vexing generation.

World-renowned expert, David Steinberg, President, Steinberg & Associates, will present the current consumer view of preservatives and a view of what the future holds. Arlette Palo, Principal, Arlette Palo Beauty Innovation Consulting, LLC, will share her insider’s experience on where to win in wipes innovation and how consumer behaviour is driving the beauty wipes category performance.

Matthew Tipper, Operations Director, Nonwoven Innovation & Research Institute, will present the latest processes and parameters for low cost solutions for high and low wet strength for use and disposal. Annie Weisbrod, Principal Scientist, The Procter & Gamble Company, will reveal the significant trends and possibilities as consumers purchase more goods and the impact on status quo and innovation.

Sunghyun Nam, Research Materials Engineer, Southern Regional Research Center, will present new research using cotton fibres as a nanoengineering tool producing silver nanoparticles as a powerful antimicrobial wipes agent. Matthew Schiering, Principal, Sheer Strategy, will reveal data and insights into the structure and performance of laundered towels in healthcare for high touch surfaces versus the cleaning and disinfectant efficacy of single-use wipes.

WOW Innovation Award

The World of Wipes Innovation Award recognises innovations in the wipes value chain that advance the use of nonwovens. Conference attendees will hear from finalists selected by INDA’s Technical Advisory Board and vote their choice, the winner will be announced on day three.

Organisers are also inviting visitors to the conference a day earlier for an in-depth wipes education. INDA’s WIPES Academy is being held in conjunction with the World of Wipes International Conference. Led by Rob Johnson, PE and Principal of Smith, Johnson & Associates, the Academy is the first and only comprehensive wipes training program for the entire wipes supply chain.

www.inda.org