Towards a Greener Future: The Rise of Eco-Friendly Disposable Hygiene Products

Disposable absorbent hygiene products are becoming more popular among people of all ages and socioeconomic groups. Campaigns for public education, wider availability of the goods, and enhanced marketing initiatives have contributed to normalizing the use of these products and lowering the stigma attached to them. There is a rise in the need for absorbent hygiene products, notably those for adult incontinence, as many nations' populations are getting older. The need for disposable absorbent hygiene products has been influenced by contemporary lifestyles, which include busy schedules, lengthy workdays, and substantial travel.

The global market for superabsorbent polymers is being driven by the growth in demand for disposable absorbent hygiene products, including diapers, feminine hygiene, and adult incontinence products. The market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 3.9% from $7.56 billion in 2020 to $10.58 billion in 2027.

Growing health-related issues are a major cause of increased demand for disposable absorbent hygiene products:

1. CAUTI and IAD: Age-related health problems, such as Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) and Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD) are becoming major global concerns. The most frequent condition connected with healthcare, CAUTI, is directly related to the infection brought on by chronic catheter usage. Skin erosion and inflammation brought on by regular contact with urine and feces are symptoms of the disorder known as IAD. Each year, more than 560,000 people get CAUTI, which increases hospital stays, medical expenses, patient morbidity, and mortality. Over the course of the forecast period, these factors are anticipated to boost demand for adult wipes.
2. Menstrual Disorders: Women with heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding often require extra protection during their menstrual cycles. This can lead to an increased demand for sanitary napkins, tampons, or menstrual cups, which are disposable or need regular replacement.
   However, poor menstrual hygiene can lead to major health problems, including urinary and reproductive tract infections, which can cause infertility in the future and complicate childbirth. Infections like hepatitis B and thrush can spread if hands are not washed after changing menstruation products.
3. Postpartum Bleeding: After giving birth, women experience postpartum bleeding known as lochia. This bleeding can last for several weeks and requires the use of disposable absorbent hygiene products like maternity pads to manage the flow. The demand for these disposable absorbent hygiene products typically increases during the postpartum period

Key environmental concerns are as follows:

1. Waste Generation: Disposable absorbent hygiene products, such as diapers, adult pads, and sanitary napkins, significantly contribute to waste generation. Their single-use nature leads to a substantial volume of waste ending up in landfills or incineration facilities.
2. Non-Biodegradability: Most disposable absorbent hygiene products are made from synthetic materials like plastics and superabsorbent polymers, which are not readily biodegrade. This means that they persist in the environment for a long time, contributing to the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste. Products made from a combination of biodegradable and non-biodegradable elements may not decompose in landfills. In addition, these goods include human waste when used (about 60% pee and feces by mass), raising questions regarding the possibility of infections.
3. Lack of Recycling Infrastructure: While some components of disposable hygiene products can be recycled, such as plastic components, the lack of adequate recycling infrastructure poses a challenge. Limited facilities and specialized processes make it difficult to recycle these products effectively.

Need for sustainability!

Disposable hygiene absorbent products, while providing convenience and comfort, pose health- and environment-related concerns.

Following are common health concerns:

1. Allergies and Sensitivities: Many individuals experience allergies or sensitivities to the chemicals, fragrances, and synthetic materials commonly found in conventional hygiene products. Sustainable alternatives, often made from natural and organic materials, are perceived safe and gentle on the skin, reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.
2. Hormonal Disruption: Some conventional hygiene products, particularly those containing plastics or synthetic materials, may release chemicals that can disrupt hormone balance. Sustainable alternatives, free from such chemicals, are preferred by individuals seeking to reduce their exposure to endocrine disruptors.
   

Sustainable hygiene products have the potential to address the above challenges; hence, leading companies are focusing their innovation efforts with sustainability as a key goal. There is a growing focus on developing sustainable alternatives, such as reusable cloth diapers, biodegradable or compostable materials, and improved recycling systems.

Wave of sustainability driving innovations in the AHP industry

Which area of "sustainability" is the target? The broad concept of sustainability encompasses a wide range of needs, each of which may call for quite diverse technological answers.

1. 3Rs to drive the sustainability narrative:
• Reduce basis weight of nonwovens and films: One of the biggest trends today is ultra-thin AHP with reduced fluff. On average, modern disposable diapers weigh as little as 45 grams: about the weight of an egg. Through innovation in materials, design, and manufacturing, disposable diapers weigh 40% less than they did in 1987.
• Recycling: It is technically possible to take a sanitary pad or diaper apart and recover some components, and companies, like Padcare in India, are experimenting to make this recovery economically feasible. Ontex in Belgium, NappyCycle in the UK, and Unicharm in Japan are other companies actively working on this.
  For instance, an inventive recycling method for post-consumer AHP waste has been created and patented by FaterSMART, a division of Fater Spa, an Italian joint venture between Procter & Gamble and the Angelini group. This method produces secondary raw materials for high-value applications.
• Redesign: Businesses are implementing product designs that make more use of natural materials (such as bamboo, cotton, or other cellulose-based fibers) or goods made of bio-based polymers. The development of superabsorbent polymers/hydrogels (SAP) because of the rising demand in the hygiene sector is one instance of recent advancements.
  For example, BioSAP is creating a new opportunity for eco-friendly AHP. Biodegradable superabsorbent polymers are biocompatible and degradable. Moreover, many companies are replacing traditional plastic-based packaging with recyclable paper-based packaging for diapers and feminine care articles. Furthermore, Lola offers a range of organic cotton feminine hygiene products, including tampons, pads, liners, and period cups. Lola's products are made with 100% organic cotton, free from synthetic materials Since before the pandemic, there have been a lot more claim-related SKUs on e-commerce platforms for clean claims in retail disposable hygiene, such as hypoallergenic, natural, no alcohol, and no parabens. As an illustration, wipes greatly influenced the absolute increase in clean claims from 2019 to 2020 such as no alcohol and natural.
2. Use of Bio-Based Adhesive:
   Low-density polyolefin technology can be used to use less glue while providing equivalent coverage to conventional adhesive chemistries, which can help reduce material weight. Adhesives must be created with exact rheological control to prevent burn-through or bleed-through contamination on the line, which will permit the use of lower basis-weight substrates. For example, Kimberly-Clark developed a bio-based adhesive called Bio-Based PE Foam Adhesive, which is used in the construction of their Huggies diapers. This adhesive is made from a blend of renewable materials, such as plant-based feedstocks, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuel-based adhesives. The Bio-Based PE Foam Adhesive serves as a bonding agent in the construction of the diaper, providing secure adhesion between various layers.

The Way Forward:

The best way to encourage a cleaner and greener future is to strike a balance between personal cleanliness and environmental responsibility, as well as to use disposable hygiene products that are sustainable and organic. With the rise in awareness levels of consumers, the disposable AHP industry is set to witness an interesting time ahead.

Brands are likely to come up with sustainable products that address the health and environmental challenges, they will come at a premium. To what extent will that be accepted by consumers is a question to which we look forward.