Karen Bitz03.13.12
Opportunities and challenges facing the global industrial and consumer wipes’ business are the focus of the 2012 World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference, set for June 5-7 at the Hotel InterContinental in Chicago, IL.
Expected to attract hundreds of participants from all links in the global wipes supply chain, WOW 2012 will provide three days of educational seminars and networking, along with the presentation of the prestigious World of Wipes Innovation Award™ recognizing companies that bring new and value-added processes and products to the wipes’ marketplace.
WOW is organized by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. Now in its sixthyear, WOW is the premier global wipes event for the nonwovens industry.
The first session at WOW 2012 will focus on Industrial Strength Opportunities, with a presentation by INDA president Rory Holmes detailing “The Industrial Wiper Market – Growth & Opportunities,” followed by presentations on the “EPA Wiper Rule,” by INDA’s Director of Government Affairs Jessica Franken and a presentation on “Worker Exposure to Metals in Laundered Shop Towels,” by Kimberly Dennis MacDougall, research scientist at Kimberly-Clark.
The demands of consumers and retailers for the wipes category will be the subject of a Markets & Trends session. The session will include presentations on “European Wipe Trends Moving to the U.S.,” by Ian Bell, head of Tissue, Hygiene and Home Care Research, Euromonitor International; and “The Retailer’s Point of View: What a Retailer Really Wants... and What They Really NEED,” by Tom Tobin, Regional Business Development Manager, Save-A-Lot Food Stores.
Among the other sessions on the agenda are “Wipe Packaging Trends and Sustainability,” Edward Fabiszak, vice president-sales and marketing, Sussex IM; “Best Practices of Applying Design-Thinking to Business Issues,” Rob Wallace, Managing Partner, Wallace Church; “Overview of International Developments Related to Solid Waste Management,” George Savage, executive vice president, CalRecovery.
Also on the outstanding WOW program is the “International Treatment of Waste Wipes,” Susan Stansbury, Director, Converting Influence; “Flushable and Non-Flushable Products Impact Report,” Steve Ogle, technical director, INDA; and “Effect of Non-Flushable Wipes on Wastewater Collection Systems and Pump Stations,” Robert Villee, Executive Director – Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority & Chairman – Collection Systems Committee, WEF.