The 5th edition of the ‘Right’ Hygiene Conference was one of the biggest and most successful events ever held for the Indian and the entire South Asian absorbent hygiene industry, receiving high praise from industry stalwarts in both India and abroad alike. Attracting 320 delegates from 20 countries and 155 companies, it was held in New Delhi June 2-3 and took over from previous editions in terms of numbers, content and participating companies and countries. The products in focus were sanitary napkins, baby and adult diapers, underpads and wipes.

The objective of the conference was to bring together global and Indian experts with their latest innovations in products, processes, raw materials and machinery and share their knowledge with the stakeholders of the Indian industry under one roof for face-to-face interactions, targeted networking and deliberations on key issues that the industry faces as of today.

A lot has happened in the last two years in India with respect to the absorbent hygiene industry. New players have come in and existing ones are in an expansion mode. Raw material supply is gradually getting indigenized and thus import substitution is on the rise. As India gears up for the next hygiene revolution, it is witnessing new market trends coupled with a change in production dynamics. A never seen before ‘user awareness’ is making the whole frame very exciting. Against this backdrop the event witnessed an excellent program and participation.

The two keynotes on day one; the first one coming from the Mr. R. Senguttuvan, operating partner at Premji Invest focussed on “What Private Equity Looks for in Investee Companies” and the second one was from Mr. Akhil Meshram, senior director, Category Head ISC Feminine Care, Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Ltd. on the latest trends and innovations in the Indian Hygiene Industry. Further in the program there was speech on market trends delivered by Mr. Kanav Gupta, associate director, BCH on “Hygiene in India – Vision 2030.” These three speeches set a high and optimistic tone for the two days of the conference. The second day had another very interesting keynote speech by Mr. Pierre Wiertz, advisor, EDANA on the ‘Evolving Value Proposition of AHP’s Within Three Generations,” which gave much needed food for thought to the listeners.

With an expert panel of speakers from all fragments of the industry, the two days witnessed presentations covering a myriad of areas such as improvement and alternate solutions in raw materials, machinery and components, new packaging solutions for hygiene products to more technical aspects including emerging technologies and futuristic way forwards. Addressing sustainability was a part of most of the presentations.

Apart from the above mentioned, the other speaker companies were namely A.Celli Nonwovens, Andritz Nonwoven, Avgol, Cellulose Converting Solutions, Fitesa, H.B. Fuller, Inviya (Indorama), Mondon, Nobel Hygiene, Nordson, Optima, Osprey Corporation, Reifenhauser Reicofil, S.B. Packagings, SDP Global Co., Swara Baby Products and Teknoweb Converting.

Adjacent to the hall there was a vibrant table top exhibition where 32 companies were exhibiting their latest product offerings on both the days of the conference.  

A very interesting highlight of the event was the 3rd edition of the ‘Right’ Hygiene Awards Ceremony to celebrate important successes and significant contribution within the industry. The winners of these awards were Niine for the CSR Award, for playing a vital role in supporting hospitals, NGOs, and local bodies during the Covid-19 pandemic in India; Inviya (Indorama) for the Trendsetter Award for their “first made in India” hygiene grade spandex which offers solutions for hygiene industry; and Avgol Nonwovens for the Innovation Award for their biotransformation technology for nonwovens. There was also a special BCH Legend Award which went to Mr. Wilfried Laser, key account manager, Optima nonwovens.

Another interesting feature was the panel discussion which aimed at an interaction between the panellists and the audience wherein key issues and problems and also futuristic and visionary attributes of the industry were brought forward and discussed. A panel constituting of eight experienced industry leaders belonging to different parts of the value chain of the industry were seen to be interacting with the audience and sharing their knowledge on various topics of concern.

“We are very happy to receive such positive feedback. After more than two years of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry was quite eager to meet and conduct business in a normal way. We saw great support from global and Indian stakeholders by way of delegates, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. We take this opportunity to thank all and urge you to stay tuned for more as India steps into a golden decade for the absorbent hygiene industry. We at BCH have always endeavoured to play catalyst to growth and invite you all to be a part of this journey,” says Mr. Samir Gupta, managing director, BCH.