Hygiene Machinery Report

Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica

The hygiene machinery market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by shifting demand patterns and competitive pressures and, not least, also by demographic trends. In developing countries, the demand is being fueled by population growth, middle class expansion and women’s empowerment, while in developed countries, it is the aging population that brings a greater need for advanced machinery for adult incontinence products. Both of these trends present opportunities for suppliers to innovate while maintaining cost efficiency in a competitive landscape.

And, in order to respond to these demands, Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica has developed a comprehensive portfolio of innovative machinery solutions. For the adult incontinence segment, the company has introduced machinery capable of producing a wide range of products from discreet, garment-like lady pants to extra-large sizes for heavy incontinence. These machines feature advanced capabilities, such as in-line lamination of elastic materials and breathable textile films, while also supporting dual-use and extra-large product configurations.  These efforts have led to the creation of the industry’s largest 3XL underwear, designed to fit waistlines up to 2.4 meters. This milestone, achieved through Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica’s expertise in adult pant manufacturing, sets a new industry standard.

In response to the increasing demand for flexibility in the fem care segment, Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica introduced LANA 12, a versatile production line capable of handling a variety of product configurations, from panty liners to light incontinence products, while maintaining high efficiency across diverse lengths and structures. The machine incorporates Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica’s patented Electronic Turn & Repitch technology, ensuring precision in product handling. The linear design of LANA 12 facilitates upgrades, allowing for the integration of additional features such as elastic protective barriers, enhancing both comfort and functionality. In the baby care segment, Angelini Technologies - Fameccanica leads the market with high-speed diaper machines designed with cutting-edge features. These machines are developed for partners that focus on enhancing warehouse capacity and automation.

Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica is also pioneering advanced core technologies to address evolving market needs. Core evolution focuses on ultra-thin fluff cores with deep embossing and central voids for superior fluid handling. These innovations prioritize the use of soft, organic, antibacterial and breathable topsheets, along with in-line embossing and perforation to improve liquid distribution, aesthetics, breathability and overall freshness.


In the Core area, Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica’s Fluffless Core, featuring the patented Multilayer SAP Core, integrates SAP into high-loft nonwoven materials without glue. This ensures excellent SAP immobilization, delivering enhanced product integrity and optimal liquid distribution. These innovations also offer significant logistical benefits, allowing for up to a 50% increase in product count per bag—an important advancement in packaging efficiency. Another notable achievement is the in-line creation of nonwoven pockets with lycra, using either glue or ultrasonic bonding.

Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact is reflected in its technical innovations. The company integrates natural fibers like eucalyptus pulp into its hygiene machinery and employs glue-free production processes for chassis and waistbands. These advancements are part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and waste in the production of hygiene products.

Among the elements at the heart of Angelini Technologies–Fameccanica’s strategy to improve process efficiency and reliability are automation and artificial intelligence. If, in fact, advanced automation boosts production precision and speed, reducing manual intervention and improving overall productivity, AI-supported solutions are increasingly used for real-time monitoring. This can improve maintenance by minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operation. Additionally, digitalized process monitoring helps optimize OEE, enhancing performance and reducing waste.
www.fameccanica.com

GDM

According to machinery supplier GDM, the hygiene machinery market is characterized by intense competition, with a limited number of global leaders striving to distinguish themselves through product innovation and diversified offerings. Despite this, significant opportunities for growth remain, particularly in emerging markets where demand is fueled by rising population levels and an increasing emphasis on childcare, particularly within the baby diaper segment. However, challenges persist, as geopolitical and economic fluctuations—particularly in areas such as Latin America and the Middle East—pose substantial hurdles to the acquisition of new production lines.

Conversely, mature markets demonstrate a clear preference for high-speed production solutions and premium products with advanced features. This evolution underscores the importance of efficiency and innovation in meeting consumer expectations.

GDM takes pride in its ability to deliver comprehensive full-plant solutions that seamlessly integrate converting, stacking and bagging technologies, with advanced digital capabilities. These solutions are meticulously designed to enhance operational efficiency and provide tangible day-to-day benefits to its customers, reaffirming its commitment to driving excellence in hygiene production.

In the hygiene industry, product innovation remains a critical priority for manufacturers striving to meet evolving consumer demands. GDM’s strategic focus on premiumization enables its customers to achieve a distinct and competitive market position by offering products with advanced features that cater to both performance and consumer satisfaction. These innovative solutions enable customers to deliver premium features while optimizing costs. One example is the inline laminated waistband kit—a specialized process unit designed to enhance product performance by eliminating leakage and improving elasticity, ultimately ensuring superior comfort for the baby. Another noteworthy innovation is the digital printing unit, developed in collaboration with Kodak. This advanced module allows for personalized graphics to be printed on any substrate during the converting process, enabling material customization and further differentiation in the market.

In terms of machinery, simplicity and short-term return on investment (ROI) are essential for ensuring customer success in a competitive landscape. To address this, GDM has implemented a range of solutions to maximize the performance and efficiency of its machines. These include the development of a comprehensive digital ecosystem that supports production with advanced data analysis and simplifies operational management. Additionally, GDM offers a variety of upgrades and kits designed to implement the delivery of premium features even on non-GDM solutions, allowing customers to extend machinery lifespan and thus ensuring sustained value.

In 2025, GDM will launch a strategic portfolio expansion to maintain alignment with evolving market needs and solidify its position as a leader in the hygiene industry.

Equally important is the economic sustainability of the technological solutions used in hygiene machinery. Hygiene manufacturers are increasingly seeking solutions that balance cutting-edge innovation with cost efficiency. GDM is uniquely positioned to deliver on both fronts, providing technologies that enhance product performance while optimizing operational costs and ensuring long-term financial sustainability for its customers. In addition, advanced digital solutions empower customers to fully utilize the potential of GDM technologies. By streamlining production processes and reducing the learning curve for operators, these solutions foster operational excellence while enabling seamless integration into existing workflows. Finally, GDM’s full-plant solutions offer unparalleled advantages by consolidating all critical components under a single-source supplier. This holistic approach ensures compatibility, reduces complexity, and maximizes operational efficiency, allowing customers to unlock the full benefits of an integrated production ecosystem.

Sustainability has become another major cornerstone for hygiene manufacturers as they prepare for the evolving production landscape. Recognizing this imperative, GDM is committed to being a reliable partner by developing tailored solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility, particularly through the sustainable use of raw materials.

For instance, GDM conducts testing on in-house test rigs to evaluate the performance of organic, biodegradable and eco-friendly materials. These efforts are often undertaken in collaboration with raw material suppliers, ensuring that innovative, greener alternatives meet the demands of high-performance hygiene products.

However, sustainable progress extends beyond material innovation. Waste reduction plays a pivotal role in minimizing environmental impact. To this end, GDM works closely with technology providers to develop advanced solutions aimed at optimizing resource usage, such as reducing glue consumption without compromising product quality or performance.

Moreover, GDM’s Option Zero program provides comprehensive support for customers pursuing sustainable manufacturing practices. This initiative offers an extensive portfolio of upgrade kits designed to enhance sustainability in four main areas: Zero Time, Zero Glue, Zero Waste and Zero Defects. By integrating these solutions, manufacturers can achieve a more eco-conscious production model while maintaining competitive excellence.

Also, at the core of GDM’s long-term R&D investment strategy is automation. By harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), GDM has developed advanced digital solutions that merge digital capabilities with automation to maximize machine efficiency and productivity.

Among these innovations, PerforMate stands out as a transformative platform for monitoring and optimizing line performance. This state-of-the-art IoT solution integrates machine learning algorithms with Coesia’s proprietary cloud infrastructure, delivering real-time insights that drive operational excellence. Equipped with a comprehensive KPI dashboard, historical OEE overviews, machine parameter analytics, and detailed measurement capabilities, PerforMate empowers customers to consistently maintain peak equipment performance.

Building on three decades of expertise in the hygiene industry, GDM has further enhanced its digital-empowered pool of services with the Control Room—a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled specialists. Leveraging cutting-edge tools across the digital ecosystem, the Control Room provides continuous monitoring of manufacturing lines, conducts precise root cause analyses, and delivers targeted, data-driven solutions to address performance challenges.
www.gdm-spa.com

Anqing Heng Chang Machinery Co., Ltd

As a leading enterprise in the industry, Anqing Heng Chang Machinery Co., Ltd (HCH) continues to focus on research and development, allowing it to launch some new technologies, such as unmanned feeding technology, high-speed ultrasonic application, etc., mainly for multinational customers who have a higher demand for equipment speed and product upgrades.

One of the booming trends in the industry continues to be the growth of pants-style hygiene products for baby, feminine care and adult incontinence applications. On the other hand, the demand for processing more environmentally friendly raw materials hasn’t been as strong from the company’s point of view.

Describing the disposable hygiene market overall, HCH believes overall demand will keep growing, considering the low market penetration of some categories in developing countries.
www.aqhch.com.cn/en/

Andritz Diatec

As a major supplier in the hygiene converting industry, Andritz Diatec is focusing on innovative products designed for customers and market needs by supplying converting solutions to produce diapers for baby care, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins for feminine care and more. Its state-of-the-art technology ensures reliable and efficient production processes, making the company a trusted partner in the industry. With a fast-processing organization, Andritz delivers cost-effective and flexible solutions tailored to meet its customer requirements.

One recent innovation from this area is the new Airlaid Underpad eXcelle line featuring in-line airlaid technology. It is a cutting-edge solution specifically designed to produce premium-quality airlaid underpads used in hygiene applications. It combines advanced airlaid technology with efficient process design, enabling manufacturers to produce lightweight, absorbent, and eco-friendly underpads with high precision and consistency. This is made possible through leveraging its synergy with Andritz Dan-Web, a supplier of airlaid machinery technology.

In addition, the company has a new industrial AHP recycling line. Andritz Diatec and Andritz Laroche have combined expertise in absorbent hygiene products (AHP) converting and recycling to launch this new recycling line to turn waste into value. The advanced technologies in the AHP recycling line ensure efficiency and sustainability. It separates and recycles SAP and fluff pulp in a closed loop to produce new AHP, maintaining high-quality recycled material. This approach supports responsible industrial AHP waste management and offers cost and logistics benefits.

Andritz Nonwoven & Textile is committed to helping its customers create more sustainable products by integrating environmentally conscious solutions into its machinery, processes and technologies. This includes innovative fiber processing technologies, energy-efficient machinery, machines and lines that can process lightweight products and biodegradable products, or machinery that reduces waste or recycles it. Through these efforts, Andritz empowers its customers to produce more sustainable nonwoven and textile products while aligning with global sustainability goals and reducing their environmental impact – for growth that matters.

In this context, the company is continuously working on solutions that can also process bio-based fibers for hygiene products. In close cooperation with key players in the hygiene industry, Andritz is developing concepts for environmentally sustainable hygiene products, like diapers and feminine hygiene, made with a high percentage of bio-based materials and with bio-based spunlace nonwovens. This perfectly demonstrates that personal care and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

These developments will give rise to further opportunities in the production of increasingly environmentally friendly, sustainable, bio-compostable materials made of spunlace nonwovens. Andritz continues to work technologies on the entire value chain, from fiber to nonwoven to converting, from its customers to the end user.

In terms of automation and artificial intelligence, Andritz is actively incorporating these features into its machinery to enhance efficiency, precision and productivity for its customers. These technologies allow for smarter manufacturing processes, better product quality and significant cost savings. The Andritz Metris CoPilot is an advanced digital solution designed to optimize industrial production processes through real-time monitoring, data analytics and AI-driven decision-making. It acts as a digital assistant, providing manufacturers with actionable insights and tools to enhance efficiency, improve product quality, and reduce operational costs.
www.andritz.com/diatec