The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has unveiled the three finalists for the 2025 Hygienix Innovation Award™, which recognises breakthroughs in absorbent hygiene. The winner will be announced on 20 November during the Hygienix™ conference in Orlando, Florida.
The shortlisted innovations reflect the industry’s accelerating pivot toward circularity and performance:
- Confitex Technology – Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pads: The world’s first washable nonwoven pads without superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), combining sustainability and scalability to reduce landfill waste and redefine reusable absorbent hygiene products (AHPs).
- Dukane – Curved Leg Elastic (CLE): A hotmelt-free ultrasonic bonding technology enabling curved and straight elastics within one lamination. CLE cuts waste, improves fit, and simplifies assembly—marking a new standard for sustainable diaper and hygiene product design.
- ZymoChem – BAYSE™: A bio-based, microplastic-free, biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, offering a low-carbon, drop-in alternative to fossil-based SAPs without compromising performance or manufacturing compatibility.
INDA’s Matt O’Sickey described the finalists as “pushing boundaries with solutions that align sustainability with consumer performance.
”
Beyond the awards, Hygienix 2025 will feature workshops on menstrual and infant care, lightning talks, networking receptions, and the Women in Nonwovens (WiN) Luncheon, cementing its role as the leading global forum for innovation in absorbent hygiene.
