EcoWipes of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland, is a fully integrated innovator in the production of wet wipes, pads, cotton buds and nonwovens, focused on the private label market. Although it was established in 2011, its founders and employees have more than 15 years of experience in the market.

EcoWipes launched its first nonwoven production line in 2012, and besides producing standard nonwovens, it began converting 100% cotton wipes as well as a cotton-viscose mix: a “cotton inside” variant. The company started producing on a second nonwoven line last year, offering even more technical possibilities. Both lines offer unique nonwovens, which is a result of many years of research. EcoWipes’ nonwoven shows parameters of very thick spunlace, although it has lower weight. In other words, it has higher technical parameters while using less raw materials than competitive products. Today, both lines are fully flexible producing standard, polypropylene and natural-based nonwovens for wipes and 100% cotton three-layered (3L) nonwoven pads, a patented technology.

EcoWipes’ key focus areas are producing high-quality products and harnessing ecological technologies, according to the R&D director at EcoWipes. “We develop our own specific solutions to comply with the UN 3R guidelines in production of each product. Moreover, each year we are certified with essential certificates and each year we gain the highest grades (IFS HPC, BRC CP, ISO 14 001, ISO 27 001, OHSAS 18 001). Apart from that, we have been granted ecological certificates — FSC, PEFC, ECOCERT, GOTS,” he says.

By integrating nonwovens production and converting them to its core products, the process guarantees perfect traceability, thus perfect quality control at each production stage, he adds.

Since the company produces its own nonwovens, it is not limited by fiber composition or specific raw materials and can therefore produce solutions for a variety of applications. Within the wipes market, the company focuses on four key categories: cosmetics, baby care, body care/incontinence care and household. “Since we are observing dynamic growth in the household category and increasing demand for body care/incontinence care wipes, our plans for the nearest future assume further expansion, particularly in these two areas,” says EcoWipes’ business development manager.

For example, most recently EcoWipes developed a new nonwoven for the household category called “LongLife.” The innovative and very resistant nonwoven features thoroughly progressed patterns. LongLife is part of a series that includes four additional household substrates for multi-purpose dry applications.

In body care, EcoWipes recently developed a natural and biodegradable nonwoven for semi-medical applications. The company will continue to add more body and senior care products to its portfolio.

In baby and cosmetics, EcoWipes is focusing on constant innovations, following the latest trends. EcoWipes’ marketing specialist says: “We have launched a portfolio of natural dry cosmetic and baby wipes, since we are observing the market carefully and the will of some consumers to choose their lotions. Also, in the case of wet wipes, we are very aware of all the consumers’ doubts and we offer products that will be respectful of their needs.”

Moreover, EcoWipes developed a patented technology for the production of pads. Its three-layer (3L) solution prevents pads from fraying and stratifying, and offers to the consumer completely pure cotton outside surfaces, in which the cotton was never recycled. The result gives a perfect pad, with a completely smooth surface, where delamination is not possible.

When it comes to the private label market, product differentiation is key. As more and more consumers choose private label over brand names, customers still want to have a choice. At EcoWipes, the general belief is that private labels now receive trust from consumers. This is particularly visible in the German market. Consumers choose private labels, sometimes thinking that they are real brands, so they are very demanding: the quality must be the best and constant innovation seals their loyalty.

In fact, private label is not just a basic product copied from the brand. Now, private label creates new trends and offers innovations. EcoWipes creates new qualities of nonwovens, new safe lotions and completely new products to offer real difference.