This unique workshop will provide attendees an overview of the basic concepts of absorption systems used in disposable hygiene products, focusing on the components and interaction of the absorption system: Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP), Fluff, Adhesives, and Acquisition Layers.

Attendees will have the hands-on opportunity to evaluate SAP absorption for different SAP’s, identify the presence of adhesives, and deconstruct and examine several hygiene products including infant, adult, and menstrual care to increase their understanding of these systems. Through deconstruction of state-of-the-art products, currently available in the market, attendees will:
•     Learn the functions of fluff pulp, super absorbent polymer (SAP), acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) and adhesives from a material systems approach.

•     Understand how hygiene cores interact to provide efficient fluid management

•     Review new testing concepts that provide insight into the fluid management of cores along with concepts from traditional fluff and SAP cores to fluffless concepts.

•     Take away knowledge of the key raw materials used in absorbent hygiene cores for baby, adult and menstrual care products.

The workshop will be led by Jim Robinson, principal of Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC. With a wealth of expertise in absorbent hygiene, Jim Robinson has more than 40 years’ experience in the chemical industry. For the first 10 years of his career, Jim focused on pulp and paper chemistry, while the subsequent 30+ years were dedicated to working with BASF superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and evaluating and understanding absorbent hygiene products.”

Robinson has been a contributor on several patents on superabsorbent polymers with hygiene and industrial applications. Currently, he consults in the absorbent hygiene market and is a key presenter in several training courses and conferences. He earned a BS in Chemistry (ACS) from Hampden-Sydney College, and an MS in Inorganic Chemistry and Spectroscopy from Duke University.