Executives from all links in the wipes supply chain gathered earlier this month in Chicago, IL for the 2012 World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference, organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.
 
In addition to three full days of educational seminars and networking at the Hotel InterContinental from June 5-7, WOW 2012 featured the presentation of the prestigious World of Wipes Innovation Award, which is given annually to encourage innovative processes and products anywhere along the wipes’ value chain. The 2012 World of Wipes Innovation Award was awarded to Sani Professional for its Table Turners No-Rinse Sanitizing Wipes.
 
Among the other highlights of the 2012 WOW Conference:
 
* A session on Industrial Strength Opportunities featured a presentation by INDA president Rory Holmes detailing “The Industrial Wiper Market – Growth & Opportunities.” Two other presentations – the “EPA Wiper Rule,” by INDA’s Director of Government Affairs, Jessica Franken, and “Worker Exposure to Metals in Laundered Shop Towels,” by Kimberly Dennis MacDougall, Research Scientist at Kimberly-Clark, rounded out the opening session.
 
* A Markets & Trends session focused on the demands of consumers and retailers in the wipes category. It included presentations on “European Wipe Trends Moving to the U.S.,” by Ian Bell, of Euromonitor International, and “The Retailer’s Point of View” from Dan Mack of Swanson Group.
 
* A “Wipe Packaging Trends and Sustainability” session featured a presentation by Edward Fabiszak, of Sussex IM. Rob Wallace, of Wallace Church introduced the audience to “Design Thinking” as a way to develop new products. Wednesday closed with presentations by George Savage, of CalRecovery; Susan Stansbury, of Converting Influence; INDA’s Director of Technical Affairs, Steve Ogle; and Robert Villee, Executive Director of the Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority & Chairman and a member of the Collection Systems Committee, WEF.
 
World of Wipes 2012 finished with a session on New Materials, featuring presentations on “A Tale of Two Industries and Their Sustainable Futures,” by Adrian Wilson, Editor of Sustainable Nonwovens Magazine; “Potential Development of a New Cotton-based Antimicrobial Wipe,” by Brian Condon, Ph.D., Research Leader, SRRC-ARS-USDA; “Nonwoven Wipes: Skin Barrier Improvement Using Natural Jojoba Esters,” by Tiffany Oliphant, Clinical Services Manager, Floratech, and “Binder Technology for Wipes” by Maureen Nunn of The Dow Chemical Company.
 
As part of the World of Wipes Innovation Award program, conference attendees heard presentations from four finalists and then voted for the Table Turners No-Rinse Sanitizing Wipes from Sani Professional as the recipient of the award. The Sanitizing Wipes are a total cleaning solution for foodservice operations. The product is EPA-registered and meets guidelines for both front-of-house and back-of-house cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces.
 
The other three finalists were Fibertect High-tech Nonwoven Wipes, Oil and Vapor Sorbing Wipe, from First Line Technology; Raptor SAFE-T Wipe (Substance Activated Fast Evaluation Technology), from Raptor Detection Technologies, LLC; and Clean & Cream Wet Wipes Cream Dispenser, from Wetnaps Ltd.