09.02.21
Roswell, GA
www.kimberly-clark.com
2020 Nonwovens Sales: $1.3 billion
Key Personnel
Michael Hsu, chief executive officer, Kimberly-Clark; Kim Underhill, president, North America Consumer Business, Kimberly-Clark; Aaron Powell, president, Kimberly-Clark Professional; LLori Shaffer, vice president, Global Nonwovens
U.S. Plants
Corinth, MS; Hendersonville, NC; LaGrange, GA; Neenah, WI; Maumelle, AR; Conway, AR; Beech Island, SC
ISO Status
Corinth, MS; Hendersonville, NC; LaGrange, GA; Neenah, WI
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown, SMS, BCW, hydroentangled, film lamination, elastic lamination, airlaid, and Coform
Brands
Kimberly-Clark Professional; Protective Fabrics: Block-It, Dustop, Evolution and Noah; Filtration Media: Intrepid, Powerloft, Cyclean; Delivery Systems: Hydroknit
Major Markets
Filtration, construction, acoustics, consumer hygiene, industrial, medical, packaging, protective, sorbents, textile linings and wet wipes
Kimberly-Clark continues to deliver on its commitment to its Global Nonwovens business through investment. In November 2020, the company announced it would invest $140 million in its nonwovens manufacturing site in Corinth, MS. The investment is the second at the site in so many years. In November 2019, the company invested $20 million to expand capacity of an existing nonwovens line and added 25 jobs.
The most recent investment in Corinth is reportedly Kimberly-Clark’s largest-ever investment in Global Nonwovens and will expand the facility by more than 150,000 square feet. The new installations will manufacture components primarily for Huggies, Pull-Ups, Poise and Depend products. The improvements are expected to add 33 jobs to the site.
“All of the investments in our nonwovens facilities tie back to our global growth initiatives,” says Lori Shaffer, vice president, global nonwovens at Kimberly-Clark. “They all comprise a variety of different technologies—not just one—because there are several different materials we many need for each product. What we may need for a baby diaper may be different from what we need for a baby wipe.”
In addition to the Corinth site, Kimberly-Clark manufactures nonwovens for the adult care, feminine care and baby and child care businesses at its Berkeley manufacturing facility in Henderson, NC. That site was most recently expanded in 2018 with a $30 million investment. Additionally, the company’s LaGrange, GA, nonwovens site makes Kimtech N95 respirators. These non-surgical respirators were designed to help alleviate supply shortages within the industrial, cleanroom and laboratory segments during the Covid-19 pandemic. They leverage Kimberly-Clark’s proprietary nonwovens technology to provide industry-leading comfort and protection. The facility also makes substrates for industrial-grade apparel and wipes, supporting the Kimberly-Clark Professional business.
“Our whole focus within our team is to work with our business partners around the world to meet consumer needs and grow the business,” Shaffer says. “Global Nonwovens has been focused on innovation and growth. We achieve this through regular outreach with all of our business partners around the globe, which spans a wide spectrum.”
Currently, about 95% of Kimberly-Clark’s nonwovens output supplies its internal hygiene and wipes business, and the remaining 5% targets high performance areas such as filtration, sorbents, critical cleaning and more.
In addition to working with business partners, Kimberly-Clark has developed relationships with researchers at leading universities including Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through these relationships, the company gains access to cutting-edge technologies from academic researchers as well as introductions to startups with special expertise in materials development and production. Collaborating with these organizations extends Global Nonwovens’ capabilities, and speeds the process of creating and commercializing new solutions to meet the evolving needs of consumers and customers around the world.
As one example, the Global Nonwovens technical team is working with researchers at Georgia Tech’s School of Materials Science to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to accelerate the development of next-generation materials. AI and ML are used to predict how variables such as raw material, structure and processing conditions affect a material’s performance, replicating traditional product trials at a fraction of the time and cost.
In addition to university partnerships, the Global Nonwovens business leverages industry connections and an open-innovation mindset to accelerate speed to market. Throught is partnership with the biotech company RWDC Industries, K-C is developing sustainable solutions that address the environmental challenges of single-use plastics.
The collaboration brings together K-C’s deep experience in nonwoven technologies and resin development with RDWC’s innovative and cost-effective biopolymer solutions. RWDC is providing its polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) source material, Solon, which the company will use to develop products that are marine degradable. This initiative is one of the strategies K-C is pursuing to reduce its use of new, fossil fuel-based plastics by 50% by 2030.
“We’ve seen the growing demand from consumers and governments for companies to provide more sustainable solutions to single-use plastics,” says Shaffer. “Solving for these challenges will take game-changing innovation as well as collaboration with industry-leading partners like RWDC to help speed these new materials to market.”
This new source material for K-C’s personal care products is one of the strategies the company is pursuing to transition from traditional fossil fuel-based plastics toward more renewable and regenerative materials.
Global Nonwovens is already using alternative source materials, including rayon, viscose, cotton and lyocell, in products such as wet wipes and menstrual pads. By using and exploring these sustainably sourced materials, the company has had the pportunity to design products for recovery and compatibility with existing and emerging organics processing and sanitation infrastructures.
Global Nonwovens also operates the Roswell Rapid Advanced Material Prototyping (R2AMP) facility to test the production of new materials and validate consumer propositions. The process learning and consumer insights gained from the R2AMP pilot line enable Global Nonwovens to deliver breakthrough materials that help Kimberly-Clark’s brands fulfill their promise of better care for a better world, driving sustainable growth for the business.
The focus on sustainability has also trickled down into K-C’s consumer product offerings. Last year, the company launched a new range of Huggies Pure Biodegradable wipes in the U.K. that biodegrade after 15 days in simulated landfill conditions.
The plastic-free wipes are made with 100% naturally derived fibers, Huggies says. Independent testing shows Huggies Pure Biodegradable wipes will biodegrade in landfill conditions after 15 days, making them the brand’s first biodegradable product, according to a report in Circular (U.K.).
The brand has committed to eliminating plastic from its baby wipes range in the U.K. within five years or sooner.
In other new product news, K-C recently launched Scott 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes—the company’s first effort in the wet wipes surface cleaning category—which was recently honored with the World of Wipes (WOW) Innovation Award from INDA. For this product, K-C developed the entire value chain including the meltblown wipe substrate and the surface disinfectant solution, which is proven to keep surfaces germ free for at least 24 hours.
“The knowledge of the criticality of baby wipes – which includes a deep understanding of regulated products and how they can impact health and wellbeing – was a significant advantage for the team behind Scott 24,” says Julia Georgoff, general manager, North American wipes, K-C Professional. “It drove our understanding on quality manufacturing processes, product safety and regulated product environments. KCP has also gained substantial knowledge in this journey by referencing our WetTask line of products—which allow end user customers to pair our substrates with their own chemicals. This product family added to our understanding of how our substrates respond to various formulations.”
Georgoff adds that this product is another example of the company’s customer-led innovation efforts and the product was developed through specific customer insights. “The teams worked closely with key customers across multiple segments to ensure K-C not only clearly understood their needs, but also conducted sufficient testing with customers to provide evidence-based confidence that their facilities and patrons will be protected against bacteria for longer periods of times when using Scott 24. This is what we refer to as ‘confidence between cleans.’”
In acquisition news, K-C’s global footprint was significantly expanded in late 2020 through the acquisition of Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market.
“This acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit and demonstrates our commitment to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets,” says Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. “Moreover, adding Softex Indonesia and its brands to Kimberly-Clark will enhance our company’s underlying growth prospects and help us create even more long-term shareholder value.”
www.kimberly-clark.com
2020 Nonwovens Sales: $1.3 billion
Key Personnel
Michael Hsu, chief executive officer, Kimberly-Clark; Kim Underhill, president, North America Consumer Business, Kimberly-Clark; Aaron Powell, president, Kimberly-Clark Professional; LLori Shaffer, vice president, Global Nonwovens
U.S. Plants
Corinth, MS; Hendersonville, NC; LaGrange, GA; Neenah, WI; Maumelle, AR; Conway, AR; Beech Island, SC
ISO Status
Corinth, MS; Hendersonville, NC; LaGrange, GA; Neenah, WI
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown, SMS, BCW, hydroentangled, film lamination, elastic lamination, airlaid, and Coform
Brands
Kimberly-Clark Professional; Protective Fabrics: Block-It, Dustop, Evolution and Noah; Filtration Media: Intrepid, Powerloft, Cyclean; Delivery Systems: Hydroknit
Major Markets
Filtration, construction, acoustics, consumer hygiene, industrial, medical, packaging, protective, sorbents, textile linings and wet wipes
Kimberly-Clark continues to deliver on its commitment to its Global Nonwovens business through investment. In November 2020, the company announced it would invest $140 million in its nonwovens manufacturing site in Corinth, MS. The investment is the second at the site in so many years. In November 2019, the company invested $20 million to expand capacity of an existing nonwovens line and added 25 jobs.
The most recent investment in Corinth is reportedly Kimberly-Clark’s largest-ever investment in Global Nonwovens and will expand the facility by more than 150,000 square feet. The new installations will manufacture components primarily for Huggies, Pull-Ups, Poise and Depend products. The improvements are expected to add 33 jobs to the site.
“All of the investments in our nonwovens facilities tie back to our global growth initiatives,” says Lori Shaffer, vice president, global nonwovens at Kimberly-Clark. “They all comprise a variety of different technologies—not just one—because there are several different materials we many need for each product. What we may need for a baby diaper may be different from what we need for a baby wipe.”
In addition to the Corinth site, Kimberly-Clark manufactures nonwovens for the adult care, feminine care and baby and child care businesses at its Berkeley manufacturing facility in Henderson, NC. That site was most recently expanded in 2018 with a $30 million investment. Additionally, the company’s LaGrange, GA, nonwovens site makes Kimtech N95 respirators. These non-surgical respirators were designed to help alleviate supply shortages within the industrial, cleanroom and laboratory segments during the Covid-19 pandemic. They leverage Kimberly-Clark’s proprietary nonwovens technology to provide industry-leading comfort and protection. The facility also makes substrates for industrial-grade apparel and wipes, supporting the Kimberly-Clark Professional business.
“Our whole focus within our team is to work with our business partners around the world to meet consumer needs and grow the business,” Shaffer says. “Global Nonwovens has been focused on innovation and growth. We achieve this through regular outreach with all of our business partners around the globe, which spans a wide spectrum.”
Currently, about 95% of Kimberly-Clark’s nonwovens output supplies its internal hygiene and wipes business, and the remaining 5% targets high performance areas such as filtration, sorbents, critical cleaning and more.
In addition to working with business partners, Kimberly-Clark has developed relationships with researchers at leading universities including Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through these relationships, the company gains access to cutting-edge technologies from academic researchers as well as introductions to startups with special expertise in materials development and production. Collaborating with these organizations extends Global Nonwovens’ capabilities, and speeds the process of creating and commercializing new solutions to meet the evolving needs of consumers and customers around the world.
As one example, the Global Nonwovens technical team is working with researchers at Georgia Tech’s School of Materials Science to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to accelerate the development of next-generation materials. AI and ML are used to predict how variables such as raw material, structure and processing conditions affect a material’s performance, replicating traditional product trials at a fraction of the time and cost.
In addition to university partnerships, the Global Nonwovens business leverages industry connections and an open-innovation mindset to accelerate speed to market. Throught is partnership with the biotech company RWDC Industries, K-C is developing sustainable solutions that address the environmental challenges of single-use plastics.
The collaboration brings together K-C’s deep experience in nonwoven technologies and resin development with RDWC’s innovative and cost-effective biopolymer solutions. RWDC is providing its polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) source material, Solon, which the company will use to develop products that are marine degradable. This initiative is one of the strategies K-C is pursuing to reduce its use of new, fossil fuel-based plastics by 50% by 2030.
“We’ve seen the growing demand from consumers and governments for companies to provide more sustainable solutions to single-use plastics,” says Shaffer. “Solving for these challenges will take game-changing innovation as well as collaboration with industry-leading partners like RWDC to help speed these new materials to market.”
This new source material for K-C’s personal care products is one of the strategies the company is pursuing to transition from traditional fossil fuel-based plastics toward more renewable and regenerative materials.
Global Nonwovens is already using alternative source materials, including rayon, viscose, cotton and lyocell, in products such as wet wipes and menstrual pads. By using and exploring these sustainably sourced materials, the company has had the pportunity to design products for recovery and compatibility with existing and emerging organics processing and sanitation infrastructures.
Global Nonwovens also operates the Roswell Rapid Advanced Material Prototyping (R2AMP) facility to test the production of new materials and validate consumer propositions. The process learning and consumer insights gained from the R2AMP pilot line enable Global Nonwovens to deliver breakthrough materials that help Kimberly-Clark’s brands fulfill their promise of better care for a better world, driving sustainable growth for the business.
The focus on sustainability has also trickled down into K-C’s consumer product offerings. Last year, the company launched a new range of Huggies Pure Biodegradable wipes in the U.K. that biodegrade after 15 days in simulated landfill conditions.
The plastic-free wipes are made with 100% naturally derived fibers, Huggies says. Independent testing shows Huggies Pure Biodegradable wipes will biodegrade in landfill conditions after 15 days, making them the brand’s first biodegradable product, according to a report in Circular (U.K.).
The brand has committed to eliminating plastic from its baby wipes range in the U.K. within five years or sooner.
In other new product news, K-C recently launched Scott 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes—the company’s first effort in the wet wipes surface cleaning category—which was recently honored with the World of Wipes (WOW) Innovation Award from INDA. For this product, K-C developed the entire value chain including the meltblown wipe substrate and the surface disinfectant solution, which is proven to keep surfaces germ free for at least 24 hours.
“The knowledge of the criticality of baby wipes – which includes a deep understanding of regulated products and how they can impact health and wellbeing – was a significant advantage for the team behind Scott 24,” says Julia Georgoff, general manager, North American wipes, K-C Professional. “It drove our understanding on quality manufacturing processes, product safety and regulated product environments. KCP has also gained substantial knowledge in this journey by referencing our WetTask line of products—which allow end user customers to pair our substrates with their own chemicals. This product family added to our understanding of how our substrates respond to various formulations.”
Georgoff adds that this product is another example of the company’s customer-led innovation efforts and the product was developed through specific customer insights. “The teams worked closely with key customers across multiple segments to ensure K-C not only clearly understood their needs, but also conducted sufficient testing with customers to provide evidence-based confidence that their facilities and patrons will be protected against bacteria for longer periods of times when using Scott 24. This is what we refer to as ‘confidence between cleans.’”
In acquisition news, K-C’s global footprint was significantly expanded in late 2020 through the acquisition of Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market.
“This acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit and demonstrates our commitment to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets,” says Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. “Moreover, adding Softex Indonesia and its brands to Kimberly-Clark will enhance our company’s underlying growth prospects and help us create even more long-term shareholder value.”
