Key executives from the entire wipes value chain converged on Atlanta last week for the 7th annual World of Wipes 2013 (WOW); the only conference totally dedicated to the wipes industry. WOW 2013, organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry was held June 17-20, 2013 at the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead in Atlanta, GA, U.S.

Kicking off the successful WOW 2013 was the well-attended reception held Monday night at the Buckhead Club and sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Professional Partnership Products with INDA. After networking with fellow attendees at Monday night’s reception, executives listened to two and a half days of outstanding presentations on diverse topics such as regional market trends, antimicrobials, preservatives, environmentally-friendly raw materials and regulatory challenges.

Dave Rousse, INDA’s president, commented, “We are delighted with the success of this year’s World of Wipes Conference and the universal feedback that this was one of the best WOW events we’ve had. There were fantastic speakers presenting informative and relevant topics to the wipes industry along with numerous networking and business opportunities. At WOW this year, we also previewed our new third edition Flushability Guidelines and the accompanying Code of Practice for Communicating Appropriate Disposal Pathways for Disposable Nonwoven Products. Both of these are key components in our on-going effort to reduce non-flushables in the wastewater system.”

One highlight of WOW 2013 was the announcement of the recipient of the 2013 World of Wipes Innovation Award. Four finalists competed for the Innovation Award and were chosen by INDA’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) for their innovative usage of nonwovens.

All four finalists made 10-minute presentations to WOW attendees as to why their product was the most innovative and deserving of the Innovation Award. Attendees were then allowed to cast their votes at the Wednesday evening reception. This year’s Innovation Award went to Snapplicator from Tapemark.

Tapemark’s patented Snapplicator provides a convenient applicator for “no touch” unit-dose application of your lotion or ointment. Tapemark’s Snapplicator keeps your hands clean, while spreading a precisely measured amount of a lotion or ointment where needed. The Snapplicator features a hinged non-woven applicator that pops up to stand out three-dimensionally from the package when opened, and for an added bonus, the unopened Snapplicator lies flat for ease of packaging.

Also competing for the Innovation Award this year was Quatguard XL from ITW Professional Brands, Flushabyes from Sellars Nonwovens and the Trio Hygiene System from Duo, LLC.

Another highlight for WOW 2013 was the table-top displays and receptions held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The WOW 2013 table-top displays were sold out at 40.

The 8th annual World of Wipes 2014 will be held June 2-5, 2014 at the Depot Renaissance Hotel in Minneapolis, MN, U.S.