The Tampliner, the period-care innovation created by U.K.-based Callaly, has been recognised in TIME’s 100 Best Inventions of 2020 - its annual list of the 100 Best Inventions that are making the world better, smarter and even a bit more fun. Callaly is one of only eight British companies to make this year’s list.

Callaly set out to improve the $34 billion period care industry with the launch of the Tampliner, a completely new period care product and first major design upgrade to the tampon in 90 years. It is a two-in-one period product that combines an organic cotton tampon with a soft mini-liner for extra protection against leaks, connected by a ‘virtual applicator’.

The Tampliner, which is designed and manufactured in the U.K. and was formally launched in February 2020, was invented by Alex Hooi, a senior British gynaecologist and Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and developed by garment technologist Ewa Radziwon, who trained at London College of Fashion. 

The British manufactured product is protected by four granted patent families covering 80% of the global market. It is now being exported across Europe in Sweden, the Netherlands and Ireland, and has been trialled with positive results in China.

Callaly’s founder and CEO, Thang Vo-Ta says: “Our whole team is honoured that the Tampliner has been recognised by TIME as a pioneering invention changing the world for the better. The period-care industry has been limited in their introduction of completely new and innovative products. Little to no research & development in the space means that many people with periods are often compromising their health, comfort and convenience, with no choice but to put up with the dissatisfaction they feel. With our two-in-one invention we set out to address these problems from every angle and truly make people’s lives better. The Tampliner paves the way for further product innovations to radically improve people’s experiences of periods across the globe.”