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In recent years, the supply chain to promote more sustainable products has been the focus of the nonwoven industry. Even in the early days of the new crown epidemic, people were more concerned about health and efficacy, but most manufacturers said that sustainability is still a top priority in their business areas.

 

From the initial raw materials to the end products (many of which are single-use products) after use, companies throughout the supply chain of the nonwovens industry are concerned about environmental issues.

 

Mette Due Søgaard, Director of Quality Assurance and Sustainability at Fibertex Personal Care, said: "We have observed the drive for sustainability. In addition to end-consumer demand for more sustainable products, we have also seen a general pursuit of sustainability by processors and raw material suppliers. While the COVID-19 epidemic has to some extent forced companies to focus on the immediate supply challenges, the potential interest in sustainability has not diminished."
 
Using Post-Processing
Developing more sustainable post-use solutions has been a focus of the diaper industry, and in recent years, many companies have successfully created a number of viable solutions to recycle used diapers.

 

For example, through its partnership with Woosh, Ontex will begin a diaper recycling program that will begin in Mechelen, Belgium, and expand to other cities in Belgium, eventually spreading across the European market.

 

By recycling used disposable diapers, waste and incineration can be avoided. This requires cooperation between different companies: from diaper material suppliers to manufacturers like Ontex, to partners who collect waste and recycle it using the right technology. Ontex recognizes the need to find alternatives to landfill and incineration. They work with recycling companies to recycle their diapers, which is in line with their sustainable development strategy to move towards a circular economy business model.

 

Elsewhere in Europe, P & G has worked with many partners to launch diaper recycling programs in the Netherlands and Italy. In Amsterdam, P & G works with AEB, TerraCycle and FaterSMART to use innovative recycling bins to collect used diapers. The pilot program, the first of its kind in the world, is driven by the municipality of Amsterdam.

 

A recent study of Dutch parents shows that nearly 70% of households participate in diaper recycling projects, and 82% of Dutch parents don't mind separating diaper waste from other waste. In addition, half of Dutch parents said that they believe that the establishment of a viable diaper recycling program is mainly the responsibility of diaper manufacturers.

 

The pilot program will place a diaper recycling bin two blocks from Asterdan, where parents can put all brands of diaper waste. These recycling bins are designed by TerraCycle and parents can use a special Pampers recycling app to search for the nearest recycling bin location.

 

This advanced diaper recycling technology was FaterSMART developed and patented by the Fater business unit of a joint venture between Procter & Gamble and Angelini Group (Italian manufacturer of Pampers). Its equipment uses high-temperature and high-pressure steam to separate human waste from diaper materials. It can disinfect the product and eliminate the odor. A special mechanical system separates plastics, cellulose and highly absorbent materials from each other, and these raw materials can be recycled to produce new materials. For example, cellulose is used to produce fabric bags, superabsorbent materials are used in various hygroscopic products, and plastics can be used to produce barrels or bottle caps. Fater has a similar diaper collection and recycling program in Italy, which recycles 10,000 tons of diaper waste every year.

 

At the same time, Unicharm launched a pilot program of diaper collection in the Tokyo area in cooperation with nursing homes and children's day care centers in Japan. The plan will establish a recycling model that will eventually be rolled out in Japan and elsewhere around the world. The company said it plans to introduce more than 10 diaper recycling plants between now and 2030 to reduce waste.

 

Eunice has been developing recycling technology since 2016, and its processes have been streamlined and made more efficient in recent years. According to the company, some of these old materials will eventually be used to make new diapers, and the new products will be available in 2022. The program comes at a time when Japan is facing a rapidly aging population and a rising use of diapers.

 

Kenji Ueda, general manager of Eunice's environmental, social and corporate governance department, said: "In an aging society, more people will use diapers, and the resulting waste will increase. We hope that through recycling, this waste diaper can be remade into new diapers many times, rather than just one-time use."

 

Diaper brands are beginning to pilot diaper recycling programs, such as Procter & Gamble in the Netherlands.

 

Environmental diaper brand Dyper is taking a different approach to providing waste solutions for its diapers. In early 2020, the company partnered with TerraCycle to implement a Redyper composting program in the United States, allowing users to return used diapers for composting.

 

The partnership with TerraCycle will help Dyper users ensure that their diapers do not end up in landfills, and Dyper provides an environmentally friendly, economical and convenient way to recycle diapers.

 

Dyper subscribers who choose to join the Redyper program will receive bags and specially designed boxes designed to the strictest United Nations standards for the transport of dangerous goods. After the box is full, users can download the prepaid shipping label from the "Dyper Compost Program" page on the TerraCycle website, so that used diapers can be easily sent to the TerraCycle composting facility.

 

Nest Diapers is another company that claims compostability. Clark Sather, founder and managing director of the company, said the diapers are made of plant-based materials derived from wood, bamboo and rattan, with a compostable top layer and a breathable PLA bottom layer. "Most environmentally claimed diapers are exactly the same product you get at a retail brand or any other private label. It may contain an ingredient that sounds wonderful, but that ingredient doesn't really make the environment better." Sather said. "We try to take these efforts further."

 

Nest has partnered with leading baby diaper compost suppliers to manage the composting process, with the goal of developing a truly compostable product wherever possible, and plans to test another type of SAP. Sather said they hope to find a partner they can work. "We're moving slowly, but we're making sure we're doing the right thing."

Explore from the source
Nonwovens manufacturers focus on using fewer and more sustainable raw materials to improve the eco-friendliness of their final products.
Søgaard of Fibertex Personal Care said: "In addition to working hard to develop materials with lower grammage, we have been studying other raw materials to create sustainable nonwovens for several years. Since sustainable nonwovens come in many forms, we have considered biodegradable polymers, biopolymers, etc. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages."

 

Fibertex Personal Care is one of the world's largest manufacturers of spunbonded nonwovens for sanitary materials. They have partnered with Sabic, a global leader in the chemical industry, to manufacture a series of nonwovens using Sabic's Trucircle high-purity recycled plastics. This material is made of post-consumer mixed plastics. Waste plastic raw materials are decomposed into molecular structural units and then repolymerized into pure polymers, which can meet the requirements of the health industry for purity and safety. It has also become the first non-woven fabric product produced by recycled plastics in the world. The initiative is seen as an exciting step towards a more sustainable supply chain and higher recyclability of nonwovens.

 

Fibertex Personal Care has partnered with Sabic to manufacture a range of nonwovens using recycled plastics.

 

Fibertex Personal Care will provide its customers with certified recycled nonwovens through the Comfort, Elite, Dual and Loft product lines. These certified nonwovens can be used in downstream production without affecting the processability, product characteristics or performance of the final product.
At the same time, Fitesa offers 100 percent BioBase PLA Soft nonwovens made from 100 percent renewable, compostable polymers that are soft to the touch and superior to standard PP spunbond nonwovens and other BioBase spunbond products. Fitesa uses the most advanced technology to process PLA into spunbond nonwovens. Its monomer composition makes recycling easier (compared to the two-component structure) and is one of the best sustainable solutions on the market.

 

Avgol's natureFIT solutions are designed to reduce the impact of materials on product design and have a range of added values, including reducing polymer use, the source and application of polymer substitutes. For example, Gentle, a new natureFIT in the natureFIT series, can reduce the amount of resin used in production by up to 40%. Its advanced technology, through the use of natural minerals, allows products to significantly reduce polymer consumption, while enhancing softness and fit. For brand customers, the most important thing is that despite the significant reduction in polymer usage, all the performance characteristics of traditional products are still maintained.

 

Advances in the development of new materials have provided new environmentally friendly solutions to Suominen's sustainable product portfolio, such as the recently launched Biolace Pure for wipes. The product is made from biodegradable, compostable and renewable plant fibers and wood pulp from certified forests and does not contain any chemical binders or plastics. As the newest addition to the Suominen sustainable Biolace portfolio, Biolace Pure is designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, plastic-free materials in the growing wipe market.

 

"Biolace Pure provides customers with a unique, sustainable choice that does not compromise the important functions required for the perfect wipe. Its three-layer solution ensures optimal liquid management, and the soft outer layer ensures that the wipe cleans effectively and gently." Suominen said Marika Mäkilä, European marketing and category management manager.

 

"Global environmental issues, such as climate change and marine plastic pollution, are creating new market expectations and demand for sustainable nonwovens products. These global challenges are also driving us to continue to develop innovative solutions with low environmental impact, and the new Biolace Pure is one of the results of our efforts." Mäkilä concludes.

 

Now, as the industry begins to slowly move toward re-establishing normalcy, it's important not to go back to the old ways and put environmental concerns aside. Instead, the industry as a whole needs to take action. In the future, sustainability certification for brands will become increasingly important as consumers make choices based on their values, rather than purely out of necessity. Globally, consumers will favor the use of environmentally friendly products, and the sanitary products market is no exception. Major non-woven fabric manufacturers should help brands transform the previous "icing on the cake" into an effective and marketable competitive advantage.

 

In recent years, the supply chain to promote more sustainable products has been the focus of the nonwoven industry. Even in the early days of the new crown epidemic, people were more concerned about health and efficacy, but most manufacturers said that sustainability is still a top priority in their business areas.

 

From the initial raw materials to the end products (many of which are single-use products) after use, companies throughout the supply chain of the nonwovens industry are concerned about environmental issues.

 

Mette Due Søgaard, Director of Quality Assurance and Sustainability at Fibertex Personal Care, said: "We have observed the drive for sustainability. In addition to end-consumer demand for more sustainable products, we have also seen a general pursuit of sustainability by processors and raw material suppliers. While the COVID-19 epidemic has to some extent forced companies to focus on the immediate supply challenges, the potential interest in sustainability has not diminished."
 
Using Post-Processing
Developing more sustainable post-use solutions has been a focus of the diaper industry, and in recent years, many companies have successfully created a number of viable solutions to recycle used diapers.

 

For example, through its partnership with Woosh, Ontex will begin a diaper recycling program that will begin in Mechelen, Belgium, and expand to other cities in Belgium, eventually spreading across the European market.

 

By recycling used disposable diapers, waste and incineration can be avoided. This requires cooperation between different companies: from diaper material suppliers to manufacturers like Ontex, to partners who collect waste and recycle it using the right technology. Ontex recognizes the need to find alternatives to landfill and incineration. They work with recycling companies to recycle their diapers, which is in line with their sustainable development strategy to move towards a circular economy business model.

 

Elsewhere in Europe, P & G has worked with many partners to launch diaper recycling programs in the Netherlands and Italy. In Amsterdam, P & G works with AEB, TerraCycle and FaterSMART to use innovative recycling bins to collect used diapers. The pilot program, the first of its kind in the world, is driven by the municipality of Amsterdam.

 

A recent study of Dutch parents shows that nearly 70% of households participate in diaper recycling projects, and 82% of Dutch parents don't mind separating diaper waste from other waste. In addition, half of Dutch parents said that they believe that the establishment of a viable diaper recycling program is mainly the responsibility of diaper manufacturers.

 

The pilot program will place a diaper recycling bin two blocks from Asterdan, where parents can put all brands of diaper waste. These recycling bins are designed by TerraCycle and parents can use a special Pampers recycling app to search for the nearest recycling bin location.

 

This advanced diaper recycling technology was FaterSMART developed and patented by the Fater business unit of a joint venture between Procter & Gamble and Angelini Group (Italian manufacturer of Pampers). Its equipment uses high-temperature and high-pressure steam to separate human waste from diaper materials. It can disinfect the product and eliminate the odor. A special mechanical system separates plastics, cellulose and highly absorbent materials from each other, and these raw materials can be recycled to produce new materials. For example, cellulose is used to produce fabric bags, superabsorbent materials are used in various hygroscopic products, and plastics can be used to produce barrels or bottle caps. Fater has a similar diaper collection and recycling program in Italy, which recycles 10,000 tons of diaper waste every year.

 

At the same time, Unicharm launched a pilot program of diaper collection in the Tokyo area in cooperation with nursing homes and children's day care centers in Japan. The plan will establish a recycling model that will eventually be rolled out in Japan and elsewhere around the world. The company said it plans to introduce more than 10 diaper recycling plants between now and 2030 to reduce waste.

 

Eunice has been developing recycling technology since 2016, and its processes have been streamlined and made more efficient in recent years. According to the company, some of these old materials will eventually be used to make new diapers, and the new products will be available in 2022. The program comes at a time when Japan is facing a rapidly aging population and a rising use of diapers.

 

Kenji Ueda, general manager of Eunice's environmental, social and corporate governance department, said: "In an aging society, more people will use diapers, and the resulting waste will increase. We hope that through recycling, this waste diaper can be remade into new diapers many times, rather than just one-time use."

 

Environmental diaper brand Dyper is taking a different approach to providing waste solutions for its diapers. In early 2020, the company partnered with TerraCycle to implement a Redyper composting program in the United States, allowing users to return used diapers for composting.

 

The partnership with TerraCycle will help Dyper users ensure that their diapers do not end up in landfills, and Dyper provides an environmentally friendly, economical and convenient way to recycle diapers.

 

Dyper subscribers who choose to join the Redyper program will receive bags and specially designed boxes designed to the strictest United Nations standards for the transport of dangerous goods. After the box is full, users can download the prepaid shipping label from the "Dyper Compost Program" page on the TerraCycle website, so that used diapers can be easily sent to the TerraCycle composting facility.

 

Nest Diapers is another company that claims compostability. Clark Sather, founder and managing director of the company, said the diapers are made of plant-based materials derived from wood, bamboo and rattan, with a compostable top layer and a breathable PLA bottom layer. "Most environmentally claimed diapers are exactly the same product you get at a retail brand or any other private label. It may contain an ingredient that sounds wonderful, but that ingredient doesn't really make the environment better." Sather said. "We try to take these efforts further."

 

Nest has partnered with leading baby diaper compost suppliers to manage the composting process, with the goal of developing a truly compostable product wherever possible, and plans to test another type of SAP. Sather said they hope to find a partner they can work. "We're moving slowly, but we're making sure we're doing the right thing."

Explore from the source
Nonwovens manufacturers focus on using fewer and more sustainable raw materials to improve the eco-friendliness of their final products.
Søgaard of Fibertex Personal Care said: "In addition to working hard to develop materials with lower grammage, we have been studying other raw materials to create sustainable nonwovens for several years. Since sustainable nonwovens come in many forms, we have considered biodegradable polymers, biopolymers, etc. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages."

 

Fibertex Personal Care is one of the world's largest manufacturers of spunbonded nonwovens for sanitary materials. They have partnered with Sabic, a global leader in the chemical industry, to manufacture a series of nonwovens using Sabic's Trucircle high-purity recycled plastics. This material is made of post-consumer mixed plastics. Waste plastic raw materials are decomposed into molecular structural units and then repolymerized into pure polymers, which can meet the requirements of the health industry for purity and safety. It has also become the first non-woven fabric product produced by recycled plastics in the world. The initiative is seen as an exciting step towards a more sustainable supply chain and higher recyclability of nonwovens.

 

Fibertex Personal Care will provide its customers with certified recycled nonwovens through the Comfort, Elite, Dual and Loft product lines. These certified nonwovens can be used in downstream production without affecting the processability, product characteristics or performance of the final product.

 

At the same time, Fitesa offers 100 percent BioBase PLA Soft nonwovens made from 100 percent renewable, compostable polymers that are soft to the touch and superior to standard PP spunbond nonwovens and other BioBase spunbond products. Fitesa uses the most advanced technology to process PLA into spunbond nonwovens. Its monomer composition makes recycling easier (compared to the two-component structure) and is one of the best sustainable solutions on the market.

 

Avgol's natureFIT solutions are designed to reduce the impact of materials on product design and have a range of added values, including reducing polymer use, the source and application of polymer substitutes. For example, Gentle, a new natureFIT in the natureFIT series, can reduce the amount of resin used in production by up to 40%. Its advanced technology, through the use of natural minerals, allows products to significantly reduce polymer consumption, while enhancing softness and fit. For brand customers, the most important thing is that despite the significant reduction in polymer usage, all the performance characteristics of traditional products are still maintained.

 

Advances in the development of new materials have provided new environmentally friendly solutions to Suominen's sustainable product portfolio, such as the recently launched Biolace Pure for wipes. The product is made from biodegradable, compostable and renewable plant fibers and wood pulp from certified forests and does not contain any chemical binders or plastics. As the newest addition to the Suominen sustainable Biolace portfolio, Biolace Pure is designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, plastic-free materials in the growing wipe market.

 

"Biolace Pure provides customers with a unique, sustainable choice that does not compromise the important functions required for the perfect wipe. Its three-layer solution ensures optimal liquid management, and the soft outer layer ensures that the wipe cleans effectively and gently." Suominen said Marika Mäkilä, European marketing and category management manager.

 

"Global environmental issues, such as climate change and marine plastic pollution, are creating new market expectations and demand for sustainable nonwovens products. These global challenges are also driving us to continue to develop innovative solutions with low environmental impact, and the new Biolace Pure is one of the results of our efforts." Mäkilä concludes.

 

Now, as the industry begins to slowly move toward re-establishing normalcy, it's important not to go back to the old ways and put environmental concerns aside. Instead, the industry as a whole needs to take action. In the future, sustainability certification for brands will become increasingly important as consumers make choices based on their values, rather than purely out of necessity. Globally, consumers will favor the use of environmentally friendly products, and the sanitary products market is no exception. Major non-woven fabric manufacturers should help brands transform the previous "icing on the cake" into an effective and marketable competitive advantage.

 

Source: Jung-International Nonwovens Industry