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INSIGHT 2009 Brochure (pdf)
Program | Program
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2009 Registration List (pdf)
Abstracts
Monday, October 12
Keynote Address: From Europa
with Love: A Continental View on the Global Issue
• Kris Malowaniec, Paul Hartmann AG
The paper will cover the converter´s view on the raw
material (especially nonwovens) supply market situation in Europe which appears
different from the US market situation.
Spunlaid Webs From a Greener Spunbond
Process
• Hans Georg Geus and Detlef Frey,
Reifenhäuser REICOFIL GmbH & Co. KG
Global warming and the availability of energy resources are
the main themes of this time. The utilization of neutral carbon footprint
processes and processes with low usage of energy and resources are the right
answer for long-term planning. The use of resins made of renewable
resources can also be a solution for the future. But as long as we
generate solutions like biodegradable resins made from food, where availability
is also limited, this can only be part of the solution. There is a need
for developing a new process in the near future which will produce resins made
of renewable resources and from waste.
What can be done in the near term and beyond to help in this
situation? This paper will report the efforts of Reicofil to minimize the
consumption of energy and other resources by optimizing energy concepts and
reducing fabric weight while maintaining key properties.
This paper will include a detailed description of the use of
energy for this process, as well as actual and further energy savings
programs. The reduction of basis weights while maintaining the key
properties will be discussed, further trends will be shown, and the side effects
of this development will be described.
Hybrid Nonwoven Technology for
Absorbent Products
• Rick Jezzi, A.D. Jezzi & Associates, Inc.
This paper covers a hybrid nonwoven technology that can be adapted
to introduce a variety of fibers into a melt-spun fiber matrix to
manufacture a diversity of substrates that can be used in various disposable
absorbent products. We will discuss the patent art of the base technology,
some of the products that these nonwovens can be integrated into, and the
technologies to manufacture the nonwoven itself.
China Nonwovens Market 2009: Trends
& Opportunities
• Warren Collier, John R. Starr, Inc.
The Chinese nonwoven industry growth, especially in spunbond and
spunlaced capacity, is well documented. What is less well known is the
progress that makers of spunbond equipment have made. How far have Chinese
spunbond equipment manufacturers come? They may be low cost, but what
about their productivity and capability to produce lightweight, uniform
webs? This paper will present an overview of the current performance
parameters and cost competitiveness of the spunmelt polypropylene equipment
offered by the leading Chinese equipment manufacturers with the lines currently
supplied by leading Western spunmelt polypropylene equipment suppliers.
Intellectual Property: The Key to
Effective Product Development
• Bob Makolin, Abba Makolin Waldron & Associates,
LLC
A sure-fire project killer is waste or delay in your product
development timeline, especially in today's economic climate. Laying out
your intellectual property (IP) map up front eliminates both waste and delay by
crystallizing the project goals to help plan the project path. It also
protects your product, as well as future permutations, and eliminates the need
to go back and circumnavigate IP barriers. Fitting the project IP into the
overall company IP strategy is critical. This paper explains the different
types of IP and gives examples of common development pitfalls and how to avoid
them.
The Next Generation of Spin Finishes
and Process Auxiliaries for Fibers and Nonwovens
• Stefan Sulzmaier, Zschimmer & Schwarz GmbH
& Co. KG
In the past, spin finishes were predominantly used on fibers only
to guarantee smooth and trouble-free processing. But spin finishes can do
a lot more. They can help to realize a competitive edge both in fibers as
well as in nonwovens production. This presentation describes four examples
where spin finishes developed by Zschimmer & Schwarz have made new
characteristics possible. The first example is a new and effective way to
achieve enhanced moisture management in nonwoven fabrics. The second
example details how fluorocarbon finishes can make fabrics repellent against
blood, alcohol and many other liquid substances. The third example
describes how improved rubber cohesion in technical filaments can be
achieved. Finally the presentation describes ways to achieve greener
products through spin finishes.
The Impact of the Global Recession on
Hygiene Market Growth & Profitability
• Pricie Hanna, John R. Starr, Inc.
The hygiene industry is one of the most stable, non-cyclical
industries in the global economy. The depth and duration of the current
global recession, however, is impacting the market growth and profitability of
specific hygiene market segments and product categories. The demand
outlook for the major raw materials used to make hygiene products is also
affected. This presentation will address the influence of the economy on
key hygiene market trends in both the mature market regions as well as the
developing and emerging markets.
Tuesday, October 13
Baby Diapers - What Not To Do
• Yoav Nir, Yoav Nir Consulting
The disposable absorbent products industry is relatively young but
full of casualties. Although there are clear indications that this
market's potential is far from being met, many entrepreneurs have failed in
their attempts to enter this business and survive. This presentation
outlines the main factors that need attention and consideration to ensure smooth
entry and ongoing success in this promising but competitive field.
What's New in Nano - An Overview of the
Current Trends in Nanofibers
• Laura Frazier, SNS Nano Fiber Technology
The field of nanofibers is rapidly changing. As it is a
relatively new technology, especially when compared to the traditional nonwovens
market, it is in many ways undeveloped. Not only are there more and more
applications being discovered, but more methods for making nanofibers are being
implemented as well. This discussion will focus on providing an overall
picture of what is occurring in the world of nanofibers today.
Utilization of Fine Denier Spunbond to
Reduce Meltblown Content in SMS Composites
• Matthias Schemken, Oerlikon Neumag
Meltblown is generally used in SMS nonwovens to fulfill a barrier
function against liquids. The amount of meltblown correlates with the
hydrohead and the barrier properties desired for the composite materials.
The meltblown part in a spunmelt process creates significantly higher investment
and production costs compared to the spunbond part. With the production of
fine denier spunbond nonwovens improvements in the composites can be made
compared to more standard SMS type spunmelts. The functionality of the
meltblown can be utilized more efficiently and the meltblown content can be
reduced signifcantly while maintaining the complete product properties.
High Strength PLA Meltblown, Its
Properties and Uses
• Vince Friemark, Biax Fiberfilm
Corporation
Low MFR Ingeo PLAs are used in this paper to show some of the
benefits you can achieve by meltblowing Ingeo PLA instead of, or complimenting,
spunbond equipment. Tensile strengths, fiber sizes and electrostatic charging
will be discussed. Finer fibers for filtration, fibers for wipes (wet and dry)
and other composites are being explored for the “green consumer.”
New Product Developments Like SteamJet
Technology
• Alexander El Helw, Fleissner GmbH
The Fleissner SteamJet is the latest technology under investigation
at Fleissner. It is not commercialized yet, but Fleissner was able to
manufacture the first products on its pilot line. The development work was
a joint effort with STFI in Chemnitz, and Fleissner today is the sole owner of
their patents. There are two focuses at the present time -- subsequent
structuring of thermally bonded products, and the manufacturing of
superabsorbent webs.
In-Line vs. Off-Line Slitting and
Winding: Pros & Cons
• Jesús López Marin, Edelmann Technology GmbH &
Co. KG
Although diesel engines were invented first, petrol engines had,
and still have in the US, a dominant position for many decades. New
technological advancements in the 1990s led, in Europe, to a renaissance of
diesel engines, achieving a market share above 50%, and the market entrance for
new alternative concepts such as the hybrid drive systems.
In the winder-and-slitter business for the nonwoven industry we see
some analogy to this.
This presentation will analyze the significant factors of the
in-line and off-line processes and thus provide guidance for a better choice for
your specific requirement. Furthermore it will give some insight into
future “hybrid” winding concepts.
Who is Who in Baby Diapers? An Emphasis
on Emerging Markets
• Carlos E. Richer, Richer Investments
This paper will concentrate on the different kinds of baby diapers
currently available in many emerging markets, but more specifically in Africa,
Latin America, and India. The paper will also review current raw material
trends and will attempt to explain how diaper market segmentation is addressed
differently in each one of these markets. Some diaper laboratory results
comparing diaper performance between national and local brands will be
presented.
Wednesday, October 14
Adult Incontinence Market in Europe: A
Bittersweet Opportunity
• Gabriele Bertocchi and Massimiliano Bertocchi,
Arendi Service s.a.s.
The adult incontinence market in most of the countries in Europe is
based on either a reimbursement or classification system. These systems,
while structured differently, are financed directly or indirectly by local
governments. Due to the recent well-known financial crisis, the budgets
for sustaining these systems experienced funding limitations, enhancing the
already established propensity to reduce institutional costs. This
situation opens a new target for the development of adult incontinence hygiene
absorbent products. New research is addressed even more toward cheaper
basic products while still maintaining, and preferably improving, consumer
satisfaction.
Better Than Carbon Footprint, Cradle to
Grave Eco-Efficiency
• Jim Robinson, BASF
Carbon footprint and carbon dioxide equivalents are often presented
as the base measure for the ecological impact of products and businesses.
These concepts cover only a tiny fraction of the ecological impact of any
activity and cater to the emotional aspects of environmental impact. Only
a cradle-to-grave life cycle analysis gives a complete picture of ecological
impact. When this is combined with the economic impact of the same
activities, truly sustainable concepts can be developed that have a verifiable
positive impact on the changing environment. Eco-efficiency analysis, a
tool combining ecological and economic analysis of products and production,
allows strategic, objective evaluation of different concepts and activities,
allows comparison of different options, and provides a method to monitor
continual improvement of products and processes, fostering improved
environmental impact for manufacturers and consumers.
European Downturn: At the Bottom, the
Only Way is Up! A Nonwoven Perspective
• Jean-Michel Anspach, EDANA
This paper will present the latest trends observed in the European
nonwovens industry and analyze its main drivers.
Absorbent Cores: Paper or Plastic?
• Phillip Mango, Phillip Mango Consulting
In 2008 Procter & Gamble introduced Infinity, a new feminine
hygiene ultrathin maxipad using a polymeric foam core in place of the
traditional airlaid core. This has set off a round of rushed development
work by many major competitors in the feminine hygiene market. Early sales
of the foam core-based product appear promising. While it appears
counterintuitive to replace a core based on a biodegradable, sustainable,
renewable resource (sourced in North America and Europe) with one based on
petroleum (sourced in the Middle East), there are reasons why some of the world’s
savviest marketers would fund expensive research, development, and
commercialization of just such a product. This paper will explore those
reasons, as well as determine the actual performance of traditional product
cores, Infinity’s core and other next generation core products.
Ultimately, it may come down to market domination of paper (fluff based cores)
vs. plastic (foam based cores).
3-Dimensionally Designed Absorbent
Products - Achieving Better Fit with Less Material
• Christoph Schmitz, Concepts for Success
From a consumer standpoint, the main driver towards a new
generation of 3-D shaped absorbent products is expected to be its underwear-like
design. The products are assembled of essentially rectangular pieces in such a
way that they assume a 3-D cup-like shape and a reliable seal around the legs
with no elastic, or if desired, very few gentle elastic elements all contracting
around the body, rather than in the front-to-back direction. This
generates a high level of wearing comfort, discreteness, and security for the
wearer.
A new folding and assembling technique allows the production of
these products without any cutaway material pieces. For the manufacturer
of the products, lower material usage and, hence, product costs are among the
main drivers towards the new technology, in addition to lower capital costs due
to less complex, shorter lines with improved flexibility for minimal downtime
changeovers.
Last, but not least, lower material usage of the new generation of
products has a very positive impact on the environment.
Fluff and Absorbent Paper Pulps -
Supply, Demand and Dynamics
• Kurt Schaefer, RISI
While the fluff pulp market has its own unique drivers of supply
and demand, the price of fluff pulp remains highly correlated over time with the
price of papergrade bleached softwood kraft pulp. This paper will discuss
the two-year outlook for world markets in both papergrade and fluff pulp,
covering supply and demand considerations in light of recent developments in the
macroeconomy, foreign exchange markets, and biomass demand for raw woodfiber.
Incredible! India - Developments in
Hygiene
• Krystyna Boryk-Józefowicz, TZMO SA
The search for new opportunities for hygiene product producers
inevitably turns to developing markets in places where disposables’ share is
low but growing, and where opportunities to match product offerings to local
cultures and economic conditions are possible. Incredible India is high on
the list of opportunities, and its complexity and diversity is perhaps unique
for absorbent product producers. This presentation will provide some
illumination on the market place, potentials and product examples.
Thursday, October 15
Spunlace Innovations for the Nonwoven
Wipers Market
• Frederic Noelle, Rieter Perfojet SAS
From the early 1970s to date, the innovation in spunlace machines
and technology sustained the growth of the nonwoven wipes market. From wet
to dry wipes, from durable microfibers to flushable wipes, from synthetic to
natural fibers wipes, a lot has already been invented in the field of spunlace
technology to meet with the nonwoven wipes market requirements. What's
new? You would not believe how frequently this question is asked.
And this is the purpose of this paper: to answer it, with new Rieter spunlace
innovations coming on stream.
Global Trends and Opportunities in the
Baby Diapers Market
• Phil Park, Euromonitor International
This paper will offer a current assessment of the global baby
diapers industry reviewing volume/value sizes, brand and company shares as well
as trends. The presentation will look to the future with analysis of the
forecast market, new product development, and growth opportunities worldwide.
Reinventing the Obvious
• Dr. Edmund H. Carus, Carus Consulting Services
It is very clear that despite advances in modern thinking
appertaining to wound care products, many items currently used are a disgrace in
terms of patient care and performance. The necessary criteria required for
good wound care materials have been known for many years. Properly
addressing these criteria can result in very simple materials and products which
will improve the lot of patients and careers.
Suitable approaches will be advocated to hopefully initiate new
thinking in viable wound care research and development. Spin-offs in
hygiene applications will be apparent.
The Wheel of Time - The Diaper
Testing Debacle Revisited
• James P. Hanson and Mark Bolyen, Marketing Technology Service, Inc.
For more than 2 decades proper predictive testing methods have been
available to the industry for designing and qualifying baby diapers and adult
incontinence disposables. Several dozen companies all over the world
use these instruments to predict leakage performance in the real world and also
to adjust core formulas and other features to optimize the cost/performance
equations for their market offerings. Given the proven performance of
dynamic testing techniques, it is strange to see association groups and ISO
repeatedly ignore these in favor of agreeing on primitive dunk and drain,
cylinder tests, and other extremely dubious techniques which offer little actual
predictive value, but which satisfy the underlying politics and influences that
take precedence over science. Now, a new round of test procedure
development has begun again, with the same cast of players, and with the same
political and territorial issues in play.
This paper is about this situation and will provide some very
specific predictive data from the instruments compared to people studies on
several new designs of diapers now reaching the U.S. market place, including
Pampers Premium Protection, Huggies Overnites, and Pampers Cruisers Premium
Absorbency, all of special interest in the discussion of advanced testing
techniques.
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