As hygiene companies continue to look for ways to offer more sustainable solutions to their customers, the emergence of reusable or washable, feminine hygiene, incontinence and even baby diaper items have proven to be a popular means of lessening the impact of these products on the environment. Originally the domain of smaller start-ups and entrepreneurial type companies, reusable hygiene products have more recently gained notice of major multi-national companies, who have not only launched products under their own brands, but have also, in some cases, acquired the aforementioned start-up companies.

According to experts, these products are not only giving consumers a more sustainable choice for their hygiene needs, they have also made considerable progress in performance attributes and cost efficiency. As they continue to grow and evolve, they are not only increasing their sales but are also finding  more shelf space in brick and mortar settings.

As this growth continues, however, the question will be, what does this mean for nonwovens?

For the past 50 years, or more, nonwoven fabrics have given hygiene manufacturers acceess to a low-cost, high performance substrate to fuel their disposable hygiene businesses. During this time, nonwovens manufacturers have worked hard to lower weights, keep costs minimal and innovate to help their customers provide a superior product for their customers…a single-use, disposable product that is.

But, if more consumers switch to reusables, what will that mean for these nonwovens producers?

Many feel that the reusable hygiene space will never really replace disposables and will instead provide a nice complement to existing product formats. Executives at Essity, in announcing their acquisition of two reusable hygiene companies last year, called the acquisitions nice complements to its “global leading incontinence care brand Tena as they offer a wide range of products that deliver comfort and protection for a variety of leaks covering period, urine, sweat and daily fluids.”

Additionally, it appears that nonwoven fabrics do have a place in the reusable space. Absorbent fiber manufacturer Technical Absorbents continues to improve upon launderable absorbent nonwoven material for the reusable hygiene space, and viscose fiber manufacturer Kelheim has had success needlepunching and thermal bonding its fibers into absorbent product material (for more on these innovations, see page 46).

Also, in this issue, associate editor Tara Olivo looks at new product innovations—including reusables—in the adult incontinence market (page 26). As this market continues to grow due to shifting aging demographics, reusables are just one of the ways manufacturers are looking to lessen their environmental impact.

As always, we appreciate your comments.


Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]