The current pandemic situation around the world has created a critical gap in terms of surgical mask availability. Suddenly many countries have recognized an internal gap for the capacity of manufacturing dsposable surgical masks and KN95 medical surgical masks even at the government level there have been actions to encourage key enterprises to invest in converters and install domestic capacity. Nevertheless, another gap that has come up is related to the availability of several raw materials. Many producers are aware of the criticality of applying elastic cord at high speed, being the most common design of masks sourced in Asia. In addition, elastic cords are replacing the elastic bands in new mask designs. Despite this latter design was much more “process friendly,” especially for high-speed converters, many producers have decided for a more pragmatic approach by simply reapplying the elastic laminated material generally used for other applications, such as diaper elastic back ears. As a result, many consumers experienced an uncomfortable feeling due to the fact that the elastic characteristics were tailored for a fastening system application. This problem has become even more critical after several hours wearing a mask and it is known as the “dumbo” effect. In order to eliminate the consumer’s uncomfortable feeling, Texol’s R&D organization has designed “Elamask,” a laminated material intended to show high elongation with low force retraction. The material is available in a basis weight of 100 gsm and has already been tested on the main mask high speed converter machine proving good runnability and good bonding properties. Most of its customers have already switched to Texol’s “Elamask.”

11.30.20 H.B. Fuller has launched Full-Care 5885 to meet industry’s growing demand for natural-based hygiene articles. Around the world, while consumers of disposable hygiene products are seeking more environmentally-friendly products, H.B. Fuller advanced technologies and expertise are ready to help manufacturers operate in a more sustainable way. “One good example is our new high wet strength, low odor and light color Full Care 5885 adhesive solution, which offers great value by combining high-performance 100% cotton bonding at low cost in use,” explains H.B. Fuller’s Dr. Stefan Eller, EIMEA technical service manager. Cotton-based articles are in high-demand and it’s a trend set to continue apace. Euromonitor has reported on how products with a natural and sustainable positioning have gained ground in the past few years – and how the industry’s players will need to further differentiate their natural products and enhance their positioning with further innovation. A recent webinar poll ran with Nonwovens Industry (NWI) and H.B. Fuller strongly suggests that sustainability is the number one driver behind this trend, revealing that “over 99% of the 140 respondents are focused on sustainable product development at this time.” These results demonstrate that sustainability remains a key influence on strategy and product development for the industry’s major players – an influence no doubt driven by growing customer demand for going natural while using cotton. Cotton, with its soft, breathable properties, is already the world’s most widely used natural fiber. It’s therefore no surprise that cotton is increasingly regarded by multiple markets as the natural choice for sustainable hygiene products, particularly baby diapers and feminine care. Other common natural-based or renewable substrate choices are viscose, typically made from cellulosic fibers and polylactic acid (PLA) or the substrate can be a blend of both. Given the growth of the baby care market – projected to increase 36% over five years to $70.1 billion dollars in sales in 2023  – and parents’ increasing reliance on purchasing diapers with safe, healthy brands, cotton and even organic cotton look likely to become the natural, sustainable material of choice. Likewise, the femcare market is poised to grow by $5.43 billion during 2020-2024 – progressing at CAGR of almost 6% during the forecast period – with a “surge in popularity of organic products instrumental in driving the growth of the market.” As the global baby care market continues to grow, so do parents' demand for natural, safe and earth-friendly products for their babies. So, when it comes to choosing diapers and wipes, parents are turning to brands they can rely on. Cotton is a brand parents recognize as reliable, trustworthy, and sustainable, which means the market for cotton is positioned to keep growing to meet the needs of parents today—and parents tomorrow. Cotton and viscose swell when wet, making them more chall...

A Northern California-based startup is now in the mask making business, producing non-medical, three-ply nonwoven face masks. Salus Supply, a veteran-owned company, and the first and only nonwoven mask manufacturer on the West Coast, guarantees low prices and same-day shipping. "We bought a machine so that we could make masks in America, put local people to work and help to re-establish a critically important supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE)," says Tovey Giezentanner, owner and founder of Salus Supply. Salus masks are made from three layers of lightweight, breathable nonwoven material,including a middle layer of meltblown fabric which provides an improved level of protection from tiny airborne particles and helps to reduce exposure to Covid-19 and bad air quality from wildfires. The movement towards wearing masks during pandemics is well documented in history and why Giezentanner, along with two investors, took to the internet to buy a mask-making machine in March 2020. After finding a company based in China with a facility in California that made and sold mask making machines, Giezentanner secured a warehouse and ordered a machine and the necessary materials to start make the masks. "Unfortunately, no one in America builds mask-making machines. Likewise, securing the nonwoven fabrics to make masks in America is almost impossible," Giezentanner continues. "For the past 25 years, it's been cheaper to import masks from China or other far east countries and as a result the PPE supply chain disappeared."In July, Giezentanner hired a San Francisco-based electrician to help communicate in Chinese and calibrate his new machine. By late-August, the mask materials arrived, and Salus Supply was in business. The mask machine can produce up to 40,000 masks a day and 1 million masks per month. "We're thrilled to be part of a national effort to re-establish the PPE supply chain in America," Giezentanner continues. "It's also been extremely rewarding to create local jobs, start a California-based supply chain in my hometown and make something positive happen in 2020." Salus sells boxes of 50 masks or cases of 2000. Salus non-medical, source control face masks are authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization for use as source control by members of the general public as well as health care professionals in healthcare settings to help prevent the spread of infection or illness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

From Sept. 2-4, the 14th China International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens (CINTE 20) co-organized by CNITA, CCPITTEX and Messe Frankfurt was successfully held in Shanghai. It was the first exhibition of technical textiles and nonwovens after the breakout of the pandemic, and attracted nearly 500 exhibitors. The exhibits covered the entire industrial chain of technical textiles and nonwovens, including machines and accessories, raw materials and chemicals, nonwoven fabrics and products, other industrial textile rolls and products, functional fabrics, personal protective equipment, etc. The scale was 38,000 square meters, occupying the three major exhibition halls of Shanghai New International Expo Center. The number of visitors has achieved a breakthrough increase compared with the previous sessions. 2020 is a special year for the industrial textiles and nonwovens industry due to Covid-19. China industrial textiles and nonwovens industry and CNITA have undertaken the important task of supporting anti-epidemic materials such as masks, protective clothing, and wipes for the whole country fighting against Covid-19. In order to promote the industry's anti-pandemic deeds and display anti-pandemic products, the display area of Heroic Deeds of Anti-pandemic and innovative products of key anti-pandemic materials was specially set up in the exhibition hall. Technology shapes life. The great significance and role of technical textiles and nonwoven products have been played fully this time. They can also be applied in various fields. During CINTE 20, players shared high-quality resources in the industry chain, discussed topics on industry innovation and development, and shared industry development responsibilities. During CINTE 20, the 9th China International Nonwovens Conference (CINC 2020) was also successfully held Sept. 2-3. CINC is committed to building a high-quality communication platform for participants from the industry. It has been held for eight consecutive sessions with increasing influence. Focusing on the theme of "Responsibility and Innovation of the Nonwovens Industry under the Pandemic," presentations about investment, technological innovation, social responsibility and industrial chain collaboration in the nonwoven industry were delivered at site or via video by many speakers from China, North America and Europes. Li Lingshen, president of CNITA, reviewed the development of China's nonwovens industry in 2019 and contributions of China's nonwovens industry in the fight against Covid-19, described the outlook and social responsibility strategy of the nonwovens industry in the post-virus period. INDA president Dave Rousse and EDANA general manager Pierre Wiertz made presentations via video. Mr. Rousse shared with attendees the functional foundation of nonwoven materials in three critical areas of facemask, medical and surgical gowns, and wipes for healthcare workers and all citizens, and reported on the latest capacity and ...

Kimberly-Clark announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market, in an all-cash transaction for approximately $1.2 billion from a group of shareholders including CVC Capital Partners Asia Pacific IV. "This acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit and demonstrates our commitment to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets," says Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. "Moreover, adding Softex Indonesia and its brands to Kimberly-Clark will enhance our company's underlying growth prospects and help us create even more long-term shareholder value." Indonesia is a large, growing market with attractive future prospects, and the acquisition immediately improves Kimberly-Clark's currently limited position in the country to one with strong market share in key personal care categories across Southeast Asia's largest economy. The diaper market in Indonesia is currently estimated at $1.6 billion, the sixth largest in the world, with approximately five million annual births. Approximately 80% of Softex Indonesia sales come from diapers, and it currently holds the No. 2 market share position with the Sweety and Happy Nappy brands while continuing to grow its market presence. The remaining Softex Indonesia sales are mostly in the feminine care and adult care categories. In feminine care, the company holds the No. 3 market share position with the Softex brand. In adult care, it holds the No. 2 market share position with the Confidence brand. Since 1976, Softex Indonesia has built a successful personal care business with strong market positions and has consistently delivered double-digit growth. The company has excellent manufacturing capabilities and a strong go-to-market distribution network. Softex Indonesia generated net sales of approximately $420 million in 2019. The transaction is another demonstration of Kimberly-Clark's commitment to generate improved, sustainable top-line growth and create long-term shareholder value. Excluding one-time transaction and integration costs, the acquisition's impact on adjusted earnings per share in 2020 and 2021 is expected to be immaterial. The transaction will be financed primarily through incremental debt and secondarily cash on hand. The transaction is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions. "Softex Indonesia has a strong, growing and profitable business with a portfolio of brands loved by Indonesian consumers," says Aaron Powell, president of Kimberly-Clark's Asia-Pacific consumer business. "This acquisition provides an opportunity for Kimberly-Clark to accelerate our growth in Southeast Asia, and we look forward to combining our strengths in innovation and brand building to expand on Softex Indonesia's continued success."

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, reports its 14th annual World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference connected over 260 participants from 20 countries to advance their wipes business Aug. 25-27 all virtually, through conference presentations, live Q&A, tabletop display rooms, live chat, cocktail hours, afternoon tea, and coffee connections. In its first all virtual format, WOW provided critical program content addressing the latest wipe innovations and presentations from 30 industry leaders on issues, market trends, and statistical data to plan business strategies as well as a virtual three-day Wipes Academy training course. “Virtual WOW allowed me to expand my network and tap into the newest trends without having to leave the house,” says Jonathan Layer, business development manager Americas, Fibertex Nonwovens Inc. Among the event highlights was the announcement of Food Fresh Liners from Berk International LLC as the winner of this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award. Food Fresh Liners are the first nonwoven that can absorb accumulated moisture in sealed produce packaging to keep produce from wilting and spoiling, thus staying fresher for longer. The annual award recognizes the product that best expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness, and technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain. “Virtual WOW was a good way to step outside the box and get insight from all aspects of the wipes market, and at the same time I made new contacts I would not have ordinarily met,” Roger Shields, sales – Nonwovens, Groz-Beckert USA, Inc. Virtual WOW attracted 24 virtual tabletop displays to connect and create meaningful relationships throughout the entire wipes supply chain. “We are reinventing our approach to conferences to meet the connection and content needs of our industry participants, as well as the social distancing and hygiene needs of the current Covid-19 situation we are in. At the World of Wipes, we were encouraged by our attendees’ ability to adapt to the new technology platform and variety of modes we put forward to creatively interact,” says Dave Rousse, INDA president. Program sessions included Shifting Trade and Market Data, Government Updates/Industry Statistics, Emerging Consumer Wants, Panel Discussions, Industrial Wipes, and Challenges of Plastics in Wipes. To purchase the World of Wipes® conference audio and visual presentation materials for limitless “on-demand” replay. Preceding the conference, INDA presented a virtual Wipes Academy led by instructor Chris Plotz, director of Technical Affairs, INDA. The Academy is the first and only comprehensive wipes training for the entire wipes supply chain. IN 2021, the World of Wipes International Conference will be held July 12-15, at the Atlanta Marquis, in Atlanta, GA.