Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has developed a new Carded Airlaid Carded (CAC) line to create a more sustainable three-layer nonwoven for wipes. These can be used for personal hygiene and cleaning purposes. This new line will use 100% cellulose content, including viscose and pulp from certified sources, resulting in a nonwoven material that is fully biodegradable. The new technology being used for the planned CAC line—located at Mondi's plant in Ascania, Germany—will make it possible to combine three layers into a highly functional and stable composite material. This will deliver optimal absorption and lotion load for high-quality biodegradable wipes and uses fewer resources than comparable carded mono-structures. The technology will be able to produce the entire sustainable nonwoven material in-line, while enabling hydro-embossing to increase softness and improve cleaning power. “The innovative technology means we can produce 100% biodegradable, high-performance nonwovens for wipes that are more accessible, and we are looking forward to introducing this to the market.” explained Kelly Wright, Mondi’s product expert for Personal Care and Components. The new line is set to be fully operational by 2021

Freudenberg completed the sale of its South American hygiene nonwoven business to Fitesa effective from February 6, 2020. The relevant antitrust authorities approved the transaction. Freudenberg sees the sale of the hygiene business as the best opportunity for it to succeed over time. Fitesa is a main supplier of nonwovens to the global hygiene market. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Freudenberg has had success in Brazil with nonwovens for the regional South American hygiene market since 1985. However, over the past few years, the hygiene market has shifted from a regional market to a global one. “Fitesa is geared to the global hygiene market. Under this set up, our current regional business can perform better and grow long-term in the new structures,” says Dr. Frank Heislitz, CEO Freudenberg Performance Materials. “We are very happy to have found a reputable global player in the hygiene business with Fitesa, which has similar values to Freudenberg. This will be a good new home for our staff.” “Acquiring Freudenberg’s South American hygiene business gives us a state-of-the-art production facility, as well as a professional and well-trained workforce, to help us better serve the needs of our customers,” states Silverio Baranzano, CEO of Fitesa. The sale is limited to the hygiene business, run by Freudenberg Hygiene Brazil Ltda. The company has 100 employees. The sale does not affect Freudenberg Performance Materials’ Brazilian and other South American businesses in apparel, shoe and leather sectors. In the future, the company will be an innovative solution partner for customers in nine global market segments: apparel, automotive, building interiors, construction, energy, filter media, healthcare, shoe and leather goods, as well as special applications.

01.31.20 Today, in response to questions from the investment community on its recent quarterly call, Berry Global Group, Inc. reports it is prioritizing the production of nonwoven healthcare products in its Nanhai, China, and Suzhou, China, facilities, which are used to manufacture products that can help protect against airborne particles like the Coronavirus. Nonwoven materials produced at the facilities are used in face masks, N95 respirators, and protective apparel, all of which have recently been in high demand in the plan to prevent the spread of not only the Coronavirus, but also other communicable diseases. “Our thoughts go out to those affected by the Coronavirus. Our dedicated teams are working around the clock to manufacture as much of these materials as possible to help prevent the spread of the virus,” says Curt Begle, president of Berry’s Health, Hygiene, and Specialties Division. Berry has advised employees in the affected areas to use extra caution including the use of company-issued face masks, hand sanitizer and hand soaps.

U.S. retail sales of disposable diapers and similar products are forecast to grow 1.7% per year in nominal terms through 2023, according to Disposable Diapers: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. In volume terms, sales are projected to expand 1.2% per year. Suppliers will benefit from population growth in the youngest and oldest cohorts – those associated with the use of diapers and adult incontinence products. In addition, a trend of greater social acceptance of adult incontinence products – bolstered by strong advertising campaigns and introductions of less stigmatizing products – will continue to drive rapid demand gains in that category. In value terms, faster growth will be limited by strong competition among suppliers, as many diaper buyers continue to prefer lower cost store brands. The tepid increase expected in the number of births will limit gains in volume sales. Retail sales of adult incontinence products – the fastest growing segment – are expected to climb 2.9% per year. In volume terms, sales are forecast to rise 3.3% annually. Advances will be driven by expansion in the senior adult population. In addition, the introduction and promotion of new, high-value-added products, such as gender-specific disposable underwear that resembles standard underwear, will further stoke gains. These and other key insights are featured in Disposable Diapers: United States. This report forecasts to 2023 U.S. retail sales of disposable diapers and similar products in nominal U.S. dollars and volume count. Total retail sales and volume count are segmented by type in terms of: pediatric diapers, training underpants and adult incontinence products. To illustrate historical trends, total retail sales, total volume count, and the various segments are provided in annual series from 2008 to 2018. Bed and furniture protection pads, cleaners, creams, wipes, and incontinence-related paraphernalia such as bedpans are excluded from the scope of this report. Sales to the institutional market, such as hospitals and elder care providers, are also excluded.

All-in-one connected baby care system provides real-time view of baby’s sleep, feeding and diapering patterns 01.06.20 Lumi by Pampers, the world’s first all-in-one connected baby care system, is being showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020. "Figuring out your baby’s needs can be tricky," says Omer Sher, head of the Start-up Pampers team who founded the product. "When developing Lumi we focused on solving real problems parents have. Lumi lets you see and know how your baby is doing right now at a glance, anticipate their needs and build your rhythm as a family.” Lumi uniquely combines a smart HD video monitor with an activity sensor and brings the information together in an easy-to-use app, so parents have a real-time holistic view of their baby’s sleep, feeding and diapering patterns, all in one place - 24/7. Lumi goes beyond the marriage of video monitoring and automated baby tracking, transforming that data into unique, tangible insights and actionable tips to coach parents as their baby develops and grows. As an exclusive partner of The Wonder Weeks (leading baby development experts) Lumi also offers parents direct access to the 10 mental development leaps and even more personalized insights specific to their baby’s unique development journey. “Parenting is the most important job you’ve never done, and it was clear there was an opportunity to enable parents to better anticipate their baby’s needs. Lumi solves this by helping parents blend real tracking data with their own intuition in a frictionless way as they find their rhythm as a family,” Sher says.

AFC Hartmetall is a cemented carbide tool blank manufacturer 01.02.20 Hyperion material & Technologies, a global leader in developing hard and super-hard materials for a wide range of demanding applications, on Jan. 1 completed the acquisition of AFC Hartmetall, a premium cemented carbide tool blank manufacturer, marking the close of the highly complementary agreement announced in September. “Bringing AFC into the Hyperion group creates an extensive product portfolio and expands our manufacturing capabilities, boosting our already robust offering and further positioning us as the first choice for toolmakers in need of high-precision, high-performance solutions for drilling and milling applications,” says Ron Voigt, CEO of Hyperion. “AFC has an extremely talented workforce and a tremendous reputation for supporting customers. Together, we will work toward the shared goal of becoming the world’s top independent supplier of cemented carbide tool blanks.” There will be little change as the companies begin the integration process. AFC will maintain its own brand identity and continue operations at its Mainleus, Germany, headquarters. AFC founder Arno Friedrichs stepped down as CEO and joined the Hyperion Board of Directors, and Ralf Greifzu, who has led AFC’s global sales for seven years, is now vice president and general manager of AFC. In addition, AFC employees will participate in Hyperion’s shared employee equity program. “We are looking forward to the benefits of collaboration across sales, product development and manufacturing,” Greifzu says. “This partnership greatly expands our global footprint, creating the opportunity to introduce our industry-leading products to more markets while ensuring we can provide even better support to our existing clients.” AFC is highly regarded for its innovative technologies in solid, preformed and coolant channel tool blanks, the latter of which is a rapidly growing market because of the ability to offer increased cutting performance and precision. Customers will continue to buy from their current contacts at each company as they gain access to the combined product portfolio.