The development of alternative raw materials for wipes products continues to be the focus of most suppliers and converters of wipes as consumers, marketers and retailers seek greener options in all types of markets for these products. These efforts were fully on display at this year’s World of Wipes (WOW) conference in Chicago, IL, as presenters and exhibitors showcased recent technology and products that are lessening the role of plastic-based feedstocks in the disposable wipes industry.

While the Single Use Plastic (SUP) directive in Europe and similar measures in several U.S. states and Canada have been a catalyst for these efforts, the role of the retailer cannot be underestimated. Earlier this year, a number of U.K.-based retailers took the lead in plastics reduction by banning the sale of plastic-containing wipes in their stores. Several of these retailers have also reformulated their store brand wipes to remove plastic-based feedstock. Meanwhile, major U.S. retailers like Walmart and Target also continue to demand greener raw materials, more options for recyclable content and more sustainable efforts.

These demands have influenced wipes production as well. As major wipes converters like Nice-Pak and Rockline Industries have ramped up production, they have also made sure their equipment can process more sustainable materials. This has been seen in nonwovens investment as well—not just in wipes but in all major markets.

In this issue, editor Karen McIntyre reports on the market for plastic-free wipes and what retailers, suppliers and wipes manufacturers are doing in response to increased demand for natural products in all markets for wipes. Companies must balance cost, supply, efficacy and more to make a product that meets the need for a more sustainable product without sacrificing performance, a task that is not an easy one but one that continues to be achieved in many ways by many innovators.