Like all consumer markets, personal care wipes are undergoing a significant paradigm shift in their retail landscape. The simplest characterization is the ongoing shift from ‘brick and mortar’ selling to online selling or e-commerce. Smithers latest market report, ‘The Future of Personal Care Wipes in a Changing Retail Landscape to 2024’ forecasts global retail sales for personal care wipes will grow from a projected $9.3 billion in 2019 at an annual rate of 6.1% during 2019-2024 to reach $12.5 billion in 2024. Personal care wipes is the largest wipes segment using nonwovens. The changing retail landscape presents specific opportunities for wipe suppliers, Smithers’ analysis tracks five brands active in this space and how they are reacting to the challenges of e-commerce selling and the latest unmet end-user demands. With shifts in end-use demands increasing across the five years to 2024, ‘The Future of Personal Care Wipes in a Changing Retail Landscape to 2024’ identifies the following key drivers and trends for the global personal care wipes industry today: Sustainability – In 2019, there are multiple levels of sustainability driving personal care wipes – to reduce/eliminate plastics waste, to use all-natural ingredients, and to use biodegradable materials. Nonwoven supply and demand – One of the most important drivers for wipes over the next five years will be the oversupply of high-quality nonwovens for the wipes market. This will result in lower prices and accelerated product development as nonwovens producers attempt to sell this oversupply. Current, near-term and long-term global economy impact – Consumers tend to revert to the lowest-cost options – paper or cloth scraps replacing wipes, or baby wipes replacing higher-price speciality wipes – in times of economic hardship. Thus any future economic downturn will have a major negative impact on the personal care wipes market. Performance requirements and developments – Wipes performance continues to improve, some to the point of passing from luxury to requirement. For example, flushable wipes originally were not dispersible and were not very good at cleaning. But these products have improved to the point now that many consumers cannot do without them. Even if governmental agencies try to outlaw them, it is expected that many consumers would revert to using fewer dispersible wipes rather than do without. Smithers latest report, ‘The Future of Personal Care Wipes in a Changing Retail Landscape to 2024’ quantitatively defines this burgeoning sector by end-use segment, region, nonwoven product type, and raw materials used. To contextualise this rapid growth, Smithers’ analyses the changing retail landscape for these wipes, reviewing current brand owners, suppliers, retailers, business models, and supply chains; within a growing global nonwovens market.

Through its commitment to sustainability, and by deeply investigating its customers'needs,GDMannounces the development of a machine “green concept” that puts together all GDM solutions, propelling sustainability in every step of the manufacturing supply chain. Raw materials Less material, better core performances GDM's Extra Thin Core allows savings of up to 800 k€ per year: a 40% saving on core materials (fluff & SAP, compared to previous core formation process), thanks to an optimized mix and allocation featuring permanent channels construction, for an outstanding wetness distribution. Alternatives for core and topsheet Bamboo, eucalyptus, banana and cotton are driving the raw materials global trend in sustainability: GDM’s converting and packaging solutions are set-up to handle fibers other than from softwoods, more sustainable and with a lower environmental impact. Waste reduction with Option Zero Option Zero is GDM's cutting-edge program aiming to minimize any sort of waste in the converting process and to maximize its related savings. According to a customer's needs, the focus is on: Zero Waste: enabling the elimination of trims, thanks to the “zero waste” product design, customers can save up to 30% on nonwovens material used in Rear Wings process Zero Defects: matching market needs for premium quality products, reducing defects costs and boosting sales and earnings Zero Glue: reducing the total amount of construction glue up to 10%, through ultrasonic bonding technology, GDM can also minimize glue contamination in the final product Zero Time: customers can cut by half their size changeover time, thanks to GDM's patented Linear Motion technology, eliminating hardware replacement and set-up Energy saving Extra Thin Core saves up to 40% of power consumption The new Extra Thin Core formation process has been designed to minimize the use of air for fluff and SAP convey. The resizing of the suction fan of the forming wheel and the mill redesign have further contributed to the reduction of energy consumption up to 40% compared to the traditional version. Space management Thinner products, lighter shipping expenses Thanks to Extra Thin Core, diapers are thinner compared to those with a standard core formation, thus reducing the package size: 25% more space available on the shelf and in the stockroom. Spare parts management reducing vehicles’ emissions GDM has created a central warehouse and local stocks to reduce its customers’ on-site inventory stock value and fixed working capital investment up to 30% per year, while optimizing maintenance planning. The result is twofold: delivery time within 48 hours and polluting gas emissions reduction associated to spare parts logistics. Learn more: https://www.gdm-spa.com/en/news/embracing-sustainability-thanks-to-gdm-solutions

  Parasol Co continues on its quest to deliver parents and their babies a superior performance, state-of-the-art disposable diaper. This August, the now three-year old company is determined to end the major cause of diaper rash—prolonged exposure to moisture. “We are in constant conversation with our parents, and the #1 thing they want is to open that diaper and see clear, healthy skin and not a red, irritated bottom,” says co-founder/CEO Jessica Hung. “We worked tirelessly with our global R+D team and worldwide network of vendors to innovate the right combination of materials and a new construction to make that a reality.”   As the product name states, Clear+Dry diapers keep baby’s skin clear and drier, thanks to Parasol's exclusive new RashShield protection, a dual-core absorption system that immediately wicks moisture and locks it away from sensitive skin. Improved to be softer, drier and comfier, this latest generation diaper is also lighter and sleeker, providing greater mobility for babies to develop and explore their world. Clear+Dry diapers are dermatologist-certified with a 5-Star Seal of Excellence for Sensitive Skin from the Dermatest research Institute.   “Important to Parasol success has been our offering of fun, modern patterns for today’s millennial parents. With these new diapers, we were inspired by the casual fashion world of denim and tees that today’s parents love to live in,” says Hung. “Instead of the more predictable patterns of mainstream brands, this collection’s palette is modern minimalism in classic black and white.”   Each package of diapers includes two clever patterns that are being delightfully received in comments by parents on the company’s Instagram posts: an artist’s abstract illustration of denim jeans (right down to the front zipper and stitched back pockets); and a tee shirt-inspired slogan, “See you at 2 AM”, a clever, insider wink to parents that Parasol knows the challenges of getting a full night’s sleep. For babies size 3 and up, Parasol continues with the success of its pull-up diaper pants, also now with RashShield protection. Sharing the same superior level of dryness, softness and comfort as the diapers, this Parasol “underwear “style is a parent favorite for active babies and potty training.

  Wemy Industries is making a comeback by focusing on three categories and is poised to lead in two categories of the hygiene sector in Nigeria. Founded 35 years ago, Wemy Industries Limited is the foremost local pioneer manufacturer of baby diapers in Nigeria. With the brands Dr. Browns and Nightinale, which are well known to Nigerian consumers of baby care, feminine care and adult care products, Wemy has grown from a mono product company to a company that manufactures and trades over 15 product lines with a nationwide coverage. Today, the company owns a highly modernized world class factory in Lagos. In 2016, the company was one of the victims of the massive recession that hit the country and it had to lay off over 200 workers, according to a recent report in Business Day Nigeria.    Already leading the wet wipes category with a 19% market share, according to the most recent Euromonitor report, after a three year absence in baby care, Wemy Industries has re-launched its baby diapers in Nigeria and is also focusing on another hygiene category, adult diapers, according to a recent report by Business Day Nigeria. Wemy Industries’ strategy for the adult diaper category is to service the local Nigerian population as well as to target the rest of the ECOWAS market. Exports to the other markets within the same economic block of ECOWAS means that Wemy Industries pays no duties to export their products in high growth markets including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.   The machines for the adult diapers have already been purchased and the company awaits installation. This prepares them for a pole position in the adult diapers category as they will most likely be the only major regional manufacturer of adult diapers within the ECOWAS economic block. About 80% of the raw materials are imported, so exports will be a very key part of the business strategy as it will allow the business to earn foreign currency, while at the same time assisting the other countries in the economic block to obtain the products like adult diapers at better prices than they would pay by importing them from overseas.  Most of the packaging is procured locally, as much as 60-70% on some lines but on some as little as 10%. This is likely to improve as there are plans that Dangote will be coming into this space soon, which will improve Wemy Industries’ backward integration in the next five years. 

 While thinner and softer diapers remain leading trends in the baby diaper market, the last several years have seen a major shift regarding the transparency of ingredients and materials in these products that come in contact with baby’s sensitive skin. Millennial moms and dads are the driving force behind this.   Actress and mother Jessica Alba—who, born in 1981, is considered a millennial—founded the Honest Company in 2011 because she was seeking safe, effective products for her family. Honest is “a wellness brand with values rooted in consciousness, community, transparency and design,” according to the company’s website.   Pricie Hanna, managing partner, Price Hanna Consultants, credits the Honest Company for emphasizing transparency in diapers and other products. “It is part of their name, if you will,” she says.   From the beginning Honest has revealed information about its diapers, and Hanna considers the company still on the leading edge of disclosing the most information. “In addition to disclosing the ingredients, Honest discloses where the materials for some components originate, which is unusual,” she notes.   Diaper giants Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark have become more transparent about ingredients, and newcomers to the diaper market tend to put material information front and center.   One of these new diaper brands is Ontex’s Little Big Change, which launched in September. These “healthy” nappies are available through an online subscription at an affordable price.   The idea behind the formation of Little Big Change was to create a disruptive brand that offers a better alternative versus both the traditional and eco-niche baby brands, not only with regards to the products offered but also in the way of delivery and service, according to Ontex.   When the brand launched last year, Ontex revealed information about all components of the diaper. Ontex executives observe that transparency is a value that is sought after in today’s world that impacts all products and services. According to the company, people—prospects and customers alike—are asking brands to be more transparent on sourcing, production, social impact, etc. So it was only natural for the company to provide as much transparency as they could in  regards to its diapers.   Little Big Change diapers are made without toxic or irritating substances, and are certified Dermatest 5 stars, Oeko-tex 100 and FSC. They are hypoallergenic and provide up to 12 hours of protection. The fluff in the absorbent pad is only made with cellulose originating from trees and is bleached with oxygen and guaranteed T.C.F. (totally chlorine free). Little Big Change describes its SAP (super absorbent powder) as a synthetic component found in all disposable nappies. It is perfectly safe and ensures effective absorption. The inner layer is made of polypropylene, a very soft material and is danger-free. It is this part that will directly touch the...

  More than doubling its distribution channels in the U.S. in just six months, Organic Initiative (Oi), producers of 100% certified organic cotton feminine hygiene products, announced its expansion to more than 11,000 stores from coast to coast.   In March 2019 Oi announced its arrival on the shelves of 3500 Walmart stores, followed quickly by H-E-B in Texas in April, adding CVS Pharmacy, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Weis Markets, Giant Martins and others as of July. This national coverage gives everyday Americans easy access to a healthier choice of tampons and pads, the company says.   Expansion in the organic feminine hygiene market is impressive, with an 8% average monthly growth in natural and organic products sold in stores. Additionally, with Oi, national retailers are providing their customers with a true certified organic cotton feminine hygiene option.   Oi is made from ethically sourced organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and BioGro (New Zealand’s leading organic certification). Oi tampons, pads and panty liners are free from synthetics, chemical sprays, perfumes and dyes. Every component of Oi products – including the packaging – is designed to help reduce the lifetime impact of synthetics, plastics and chemicals on women’s and girl’s bodies, and on the environment.   “We are creating more than 128 thousand tons of feminine hygiene waste in the U.S. alone each year,” says Helen Robinson, CEO of Oi.   “Shockingly, there’s as much plastic in most boxes of sanitary pads as there are in four plastic grocery bags. We simply must start making changes for our health and for the earth. We are delighted that the U.S. market is joining the Oi revolution driving change and demanding certified organic products.”