A walk through the feminine hygiene and baby diaper aisles is proof enough that natural products are enjoying gains in the nonwovens space. In the past few months, two major feminine hygiene brands—o.b. and Tampax were the latest companies to launch cotton products. o.b. organic, featuring 100% certified organic cotton tampons, offers a new choice for women who don’t want to sacrifice protection for sustainability. All o.b. organic tampons are free from chlorine, dyes, pesticides, fragrances and BPA.   “For decades, o.b. has strived to introduce sustainable, effective solutions for periods,” says Devon Driscoll, brand manager at Edgewell Personal Care. “With the launch of o.b. organic, we are excited to now offer women 100% certified organic cotton tampons along with an innovative plant-based applicator option. We at o.b. were committed to making an applicator that is in line with our commitment to sustainability.”   Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble’s Tampax and Always brands have launched a new organic tampon and Pure pads, which are both free of dyes, fragrances and chlorine bleaching. The tampons have a 100% cotton core and the Always Pure pads are made with a cotton top layer from sustainably sourced cotton.   Tampax Pure is the brand’s first 100% organic cotton core tampon.   “I have always been a Tampax user, and period protection is the focus of my Research & Development career. I’ve tried lots of tampons, researched them, talked about them, designed them – I’ve done it all. In speaking with thousands of tampon users in the last several years, it was clear that there was still a big unmet need in the natural menstrual category – an option that worked well,” says Amy Krajewski, section head Global Tampax Research & Development.   “Many people using current options are settling, and don’t even realize it because they go on autopilot with so many other decisions to make every day. When we set out to create Tampax Pure, we took our time to develop a tampon that is not only made with a 100% organic cotton core, but that also provides Tampax protection. Users can feel good about the ingredients, and trust that our product works.”

  Wipes And Beyond   As one of the largest markets for nonwovens in general, the wipes market continues to represent the largest segment for spunlace nonwovens where the technology is valued for its excellent lotion handling, softness, textile-like feel and absorbency. As the wipes segment continues to develop new markets and new uses for their products, demand will continue to drive spunlace growth.   “There are wipes for almost every discernible use in everyday life, from baby care to cosmetics, from car interior care to furniture polish to the cleaning of computer screens,” Weber says. “They are readily available at any time, even on the go. In our fast-paced society, this is a major convenience factor and a driver for further demand growth.”   However, the supply chain can be challenged in wipes. For many applications, supply already matches demand and new suppliers are regularly entering the market. Growth and further development are only achievable through differentiation. Visual differentiation is possible in print or embossed motifs. Enhanced functionality, innovative product structures or combinations of different properties can also set a product apart from the competition.   Therefore, spunlace manufacturers like Suominen continue to look outside of the wipes market for spunlace growth. Markets where spunlace is being valued include from technical applications where they nonwovens are applied as processing aids or cover nonwovens. The automotive industry is just one sector benefitting from the functionality of these materials.   “Our wide-spread portfolio and know-how of different manufacturing technologies made it easier to consider the spunlace technology for applications other than wipes,” says Lynda Kelly, senior vice president, Care. “As we are active in a variety of markets, we are also aware of requirements, trends and customer demands in these other segments. This enables us to ascertain whether spunlaced materials would make an adequate – or in the best case even superior – alternative for a specific application. Having different technologies at our disposal also enables us to combine material properties in order to further enhance functionality. To this end, we are also collaborating with our customers and partners, advancing their products as well as our own.”   As the largest maker of spunlace nonwovens globally, Suominen has spent the last few years investing in new technologies both to help this expansion in new markets but also to benefit its wipes business. Recent line upgrades, which promote its focus on value added prod.

  An innovative diaper design created by graduates and academics from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) potentially rids new parents of the inconvenience of not knowing when to change a baby's diaper, making a diaper change a simpler decision.   Compared to existing diapers, this new design does not only visually signal babies’ urine but also stool, even in darkness. This diaper design features a seamless pattern of fireflies with stars, and this is where the technology lies. The body of the firefly is made of a small transparent window, where parents can notice easily if the diaper is soiled.   Star elements are coated with ink and chlorophyll fluorescent paint. In darkness, the star glows when the diaper is wet, as the ink gets washed away, revealing the chlorophyll fluorescent paint underneath. Parents can then take a closer look at the transparent windows to see if their newborns have had a bowel movement, without turning the lights on.   Extracted from seaweed, the chlorophyll fluorescent paint is safe and gentle on an infant's sensitive skin, says the design team.   Named Easy Diaper, the innovative design beat thousands of competitors to win gold at the 2018 International Design Awards. It was co-developed by UNNC graduates Qiushi Wang and Jinzhao Li (both students of Product Design and Manufacturing) and their supervisor, Dr. Xu Sun.   The team said their inspiration came from Dr. Sun's own maternity experience.   “The majority of current diaper designs only signal a baby’s urine, while the Easy Diaper can tell more than that,” Dr. Sun says. “Day or night, it indicates the urgency of a diaper change as straightforwardly as a traffic light. It should ease panic for many new parents like me.”   While working towards a patent, the team is also applying for a grant to support prototyping. There are hopes that the new diaper design will one day be a real market product.

  Kimberly-Clark's Huggies brand has introduced Huggies Special Delivery diapers, the softest diaper with plant-based* materials (* 23% by weight), designed specifically to provide the best for a baby's bottom, without compromise. Huggies Special Delivery was created for ultimate skin comfort with the trusted leak protection that parents count on to keep baby's skin healthy.   "We are inspired by the loving bond that a parent feels with their baby and their desire to provide the very best care to their babies that they possibly can," says Kristine Rhode, Huggies North America brand director. "These insights led us to create our most perfect diaper, so parents can provide their own perfect care."   Huggies Special Delivery diapers feature a baby-side liner and waistband made with fibers derived from plant-based materials such as sugarcane, carefully selected to help provide superior absorption and fit. They are free of parabens, fragrance and elemental chlorine, and dermatologically tested and clinically proven hypoallergenic for baby's delicate skin.   Each size option of Huggies Special Delivery diapers features adorable designs that are driven by contemporary market trends while helping parents know when a diaper change is needed with its Huggies wetness indicator.   Huggies Special Delivery diapers are now available online in sizes Newborn through Size 6, and at major U.S. retailers at the end of July, and Canadian retailers in August.

  Organic cotton feminine care brand Natracare has announced that it will donate 1% of its annual turnover to organizations which exist to protect the environment – encouraging people to ‘Bleed 1% Better.’     Natracare is the world’s first period product brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet – the global initiative which calls for businesses, non-profits, and individuals to join forces for a stable climate, better use of land, sustainable food production, reduced pollution, cleaner water and thriving wildlife.    In 2018, the United Nations warned that we must take drastic action in order to mitigate climate change disaster. At a time when the work of environmental groups is more important than ever, 1% for the Planet is a driving force for good.    Natracare created the world’s first plastic-free, organic cotton tampons, sanitary pads and panty liners. Its range of organic and natural personal care products are completely biodegradable. The environment has always been at the center of everything Natracare does – so their 1% for the Planet membership is a natural match.    The 1% for the Planet network is made up of more than 2000 environmentally-conscious companies and thousands of non-profit partners across 60 countries. Since the network’s launch in 2002, members have given more than $225 million to environmental causes.    Susie Hewson founded Natracare in 1989. Thirty years later and Natracare’s organic, plastic-free products are sold in 80 countries. Natracare’s success is growing year by year – currently, its 1% pledge will yield over £200,000 for environmental causes.   Hewson says: “Natracare is committed to give 1% for the Planet because we see ourselves as being the same as – not separate from – the ecosystems that sustain us. This planet is our home. Most humans have a tendency to take without giving back – and that mindset has caused a lot of destruction. To us, 1% doesn’t seem like much of a price to pay to support the great causes helping to keep Mother Nature thriving. Natracare has always done business with the environment firmly in mind – and we already give a large percentage of our profits away to good causes. But we realize now, that in order to encourage other businesses to do the same, we have to shout about it!”    Kate Williams, the CEO of 1% for the Planet, comments: “1% for the Planet is thrilled to welcome Natracare to our growing global movement. They have an inspiring 30 year legacy of creating sustainable products and developing incredible partnerships with non-profits working to create a healthier planet. We're thrilled to be working with them as they continue to grow and innovate. Together, we can achieve more than we can alone!”

Cora, a odern women's wellness brand whose products includes natural and organic tampons, pad, and other personal care items, has expanded their innovative portfolio to include pads and liners for light bladder leaks made with organic cotton, patent-pending absorption technology and sleek design. Cora's new product line for bladder leaks disrupts the antiquated yet massive $2.3 billion incontinence market1 that has historically offered no health-conscious solutions and has exclusively focused on targeting seniors. Consistent with its brand standards, Cora's pads and liners for light bladder leaks are made with organic cotton and are free of the most egregious chemicals and toxins found in conventional incontinence products. Cora marries health-conscious materials, performance-focused engineering, and human-centered design to address the needs and desires of the modern woman. For decades, the feminine care industry has marketed incontinence and light bladder leakage to seniors when, in fact, it heavily impacts women in their thirties and forties. The focus on age as a determining factor in bladder performance has, consequently, created a feeling of embarrassment around an issue that's incredibly common for a younger population. Cora is working to break this pattern by speaking directly to younger women and shedding light on the topic.