News, Markets & Analysis for the Nonwovens Industry Subscribe



Tools

Evolutionary Equipment



Considering the current economic environment, maybe equipment suppliers' description of today's hygiene market as evolutionary (rather than revolutionary) isn't so bad after all.



By Ellen Wuagneux
Associate Editor




Click here to read the full article.
‘Evolutionary’ might be a better term than ‘revolutionary’ to describe recent product updates in the hygiene machinery segment. Even if they’ve been a long time coming, modifications are being made to improve the design, fit and performance of baby diapers as well as adult incontinence and san pro products. Although such product enhancements may not be enough to take the pressure off machinery suppliers in this market, it is keeping them in business, and that’s more than many companies in the throes of a worldwide financial crisis can say.

In general, North America and other developed markets are seeing more stretch components being added to baby diapers while many adult incontinence products are transitioning into brief or underwear styles to appeal to more active seniors. Feminine hygiene product updates continue to focus on thinner, more absorbent cores and lightweight products and packaging.

In developing areas of the world, lower cost products are targeting a less experienced consumer base that’s looking to keep costs at a minimum. These markets are following the lead of more established geographies and   seeing a shift from film to cloth-like backsheets as well as diapers with stretch tapes and more advanced printing options, namely flexography.

While a major change in the form of a fluffless product or a completely redesigned chassis may be a long way off, certain new product enhancements are being seen, including absorbent cores with higher SAP content and lighter weights, briefs with improved refastenability, lower waste diaper ear systems and renewed demand for light incontinence products. Whether they spur demand for totally new machines or just system retrofits, new hygiene trends are enough to keep suppliers afloat in a generally saturated market where heightened steel and aluminum prices have kept cost pressures high and margins low.