Attached to Hygiene Podcast
Episode 52:
Reusable Absorbent Products Part 2
with Frantisek Riha-Scott
You get the one side that is driven by eco-conscious consumer. You have the one side that is driven by the regulatory changes. But I think also a huge impact is inflation. Inflation can be one of the biggest threats to current single-use products.
So imagine if we can create the best of both worlds, a product that actually is economically more viable for everyone and can potentially create more wealth for the entire industry. That's how we're gonna overcome all these issues.
As manufacturers and consumers both know, there are many benefits to reusable absorbent hygiene products. But there are also drawbacks. In the second half of this two-part ‘Attached to Hygiene’ episode, reusable article inventor Frantisek Riha-Scott speaks on the challenges. The Founder of Confitex delves further into the topic of reusable, single-use, and hybrid products with host Jack Hughes.
As Frantisek sees it, fusing the best elements of reusable and disposable products can address both consumer and retailer concerns around reusables. A hybrid article can also assist with a more economically and environmentally sustainable future for the absorbent hygiene market.
Listen to episode 52, Reusable Absorbent Products pt. 2 from your desktop using a platform below, or listen to the Attached to Hygiene Podcast on your favorite podcast app:
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Outline of Episode 52
- [1:00] Fusing the best elements of reusable and single-use absorbent products can address both consumer and retailer concerns.
- [2:00] Setting new standards to measure product performance is crucial for environmental and economical sustainability.
- [4:55] Without there currently being industry standards for marketing claims, consumers can get confused.
- [6:41] The need for new protocols to create harmonised standards that are relevant to actual working performance.
- [12:48] A new anatomically correct lab testing device designed to simulate on-body wear for more accurate results.
- [16:36] Hybrid solutions can address practicality, the innovative design, and the market.
- [21:00] Inflation is one of the biggest threats to single-use products.
- [23:54] How hybrid solutions can potentially create more wealth for the entire industry.
Overcoming the ‘Triple P Challenges’ of absorbent hygiene products
Frantisek sees the ‘Triple P Challenges’ of pricing, performance, and practicality play into making the hybrid approach workable. This is because each factor has a valuable role in manufacturing a product that is sustainable and cost-effective for both producers and consumers. He offered Confitex as an example.- Pricing: Manufacturing with automated production can be done on any continent, and much more swiftly than the previous manual process. This reduces geopolitical risks and those surrounding multiple regulatory structures. The ability to produce more unlocks lower supply chain costs from buying in quantity, as well as increased product sales. Together, they lead to a better cost structure for the company.
- Performance: Automation also allows for the manufacturing of absorbent products with a thinner profile than before, whilst also achieving increased absorbency and leak protection, and stronger moisture retention.
- Practicality: The innovative design and market-leading technology of the product provides many practical advantages for consumers because they are easier to launder reducing a major consumer concern. They can be washed at high temperatures and even thermal dried without affecting their performance.
Connect with Our Guest
You can find Frantisek Rhia-Scott on LinkedIn or leave him a message through our email at hygiene@bostik.com. Visit the Confitex website to learn more.
Connect with the Attached to Hygiene Podcast Team
- Connect with host, Jack Hughes and follow Disposable Hygiene Adhesives on LinkedIn.
- Email us with questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes at hygiene@bostik.com or take our listener survey.
- Sign up for the Attached to Hygiene newsletter to receive industry topics such as sustainability, absorbent core, period care and access to exclusive whitepapers, glossaries and other materials every two weeks.
Additional Resources About Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Absorbent Hygiene:
*Please note that access to Bostik Academy: Absorbent Hygiene is only available to Bostik Customers and Partners.Host: Jack Hughes
Music by: Jonathan Boyle
Produced and edited by: Jack Hughes with help from Paul Andrews, Michele Tonkovitz, Emory Churness, Nikki Ackerman, and Green Onion Creative. Post production for Attached to Hygiene is done by PodcastBoutique.com.
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