Hygienix – the premier event for the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets – drew 390 global industry professionals for enlightening in-person conference sessions, workshops, award presentations and tabletop receptions Nov. 15-18, in Scottsdale, AZ.

Among the event highlights were the presentation of the 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award to Kudos, a disposable diaper featuring 100% breathable cotton touching baby’s skin, and the INDA Lifetime Service Award to Nick Santoleri, chief operating officer of Rockline Industries.

In its successful post-pandemic return as a live event, participants from 17 countries enjoyed meeting face-to-face at The Westin Kierland in Scottsdale over three days of cutting-edge presentations at the conference and networking at the welcome and tabletop display receptions.

“Hygienix is a very well-organized event where we can meet the industry’s thought leaders, get updates on the latest developments and make amazing networking connections,” says Anil Kirhalli, sales and business development director, Kansan Machinery Company.

The Hygienix conference featured 28 speakers on insightful topics including New Options for a Responsible End-of-Life; Product and Process Innovation in Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs); Haptics: Four Approaches to Assessing Feel, and E-Hygiene Advancements; Absorbent Hygiene Products Market Stats, Trends and Policy Insights; Feminine Care: Challenges to the Status Quo; and New Approaches and Unmet Needs in Baby and Incontinence AHPs.

“Hygienix provides an excellent forum for the hygiene industry with valuable information and data, as well as meeting new prospects and maintaining existing customer relationships,” says Mark Steinbrecher, technical sales manager-Nonwovens, Optima.

To start the event, nearly 140 participants attended valuable short-course workshops on Absorption Systems for Absorbent Hygiene or Global Trends in Diapers, Baby Pants and Adult Underwear.

Innovation and Service Lauded
Dave Rousse, INDA president, presented INDA’s Lifetime Service Award to Rockline’s Santoleri for his industry leadership and advocacy for over 20-plus years. Named COO a year ago, he started with Scott Paper as a Drexel University co-op student and helped launch the first branded flushable wipes and refillable baby wipe packs. He has been involved with installing 16 new lines and four greenfield facilities and introducing over two dozen nonwoven-based products. Santoleri has also served on INDA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee as well as Chair of several industry event committees.

Amrita Saigal, founder and CEO of Kudos diapers, accepted the 2021 Hygienix Innovation Award for the pioneering plant-based earth-friendly diapers that are more natural for baby’s sensitive bottoms. The other finalists for the prestigious annual award were Expandable Core Wrap from Curt G. Joa, Inc. and GlatPure Back Sheet from Glatfelter.

INDA announced Hygienix 2022 will be held Nov. 14-17, 2022 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, LA.