PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Disposable feminine care pads were developed at the beginning of the 20th century. In recent years, the increasing consumer focus on sustainable products is contributing to the growing popularity of bio-based super-absorbent polymers, which are generally based on modified cellulose, chitin and natural gums (guar, alginates and xanthan). These products are an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to various non-renewable petroleum-based materials, but their high costs and/or low performance have greatly limited their market potential. Research and development carried out by the project beneficiary over the past 10 years has addressed these problems, designing an experimental multilayer structure where the bio-based super absorbents can be positioned or actually ‘printed’ in the middle of the product according to desired patterns.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of the SUSTABS project were to demonstrate that the new bio-based multi-layer material concept and technology can meet product requirements (absorbency, dryness, flexibility, comfort, etc.), and improve the cost/benefit ratio while at the same time greatly reducing the use of material and volume. The manufacturing of the new disposal absorbents offers environmental benefits in terms of reduction of material usage and volume. The overall lifecycle performance would improve as a result of: (i) less packaging; (ii) replacement of oil-based materials by high performance bio-based alternatives; (iii) reduced transport; and (iv) improved ‘end of life’ product phase.
Furthermore, the project aimed to show how product optimisation, eco-design and bio-based materials can pay-off in terms of sustainability, performance and competitiveness. This project planned to provide a demonstration case for the wider chemical industry and other related industries to support the reduction of their environmental and economical impact.
RESULTS
In the first and only year of its implementation, the SUSTABS project demonstrated the possibility to potentially reduce, in a significant way, the material needed for feminine hygiene products, further developing two concepts based on patent applications owned by P&G: the multi-layer absorbent core structure and the use of specific super absorbent polymers.
Up to its closure, the project demonstrated (at pilot and test stand level) that the application of the above concepts could allow potentially reduced the amount of material by up to 20% in comparison with traditional products. Such an achievement would lead consequently to a reduction of outer packaging (estimated at about 20%) and of number of trucks needed for transportation of the final products (estimated at about 10%).
Most of the project’s objectives, however, were not achieved due to its early closure. The project was aborted because of the closure of the P&G Italian Research, which was carrying out the project.
In the first and only year of its implementation, the SUSTABS project demonstrated the possibility to potentially reduce, in a significant way, the material needed for feminine hygiene products, further developing two concepts based on patent applications owned by P&G: the multi-layer absorbent core structure and the use of specific super absorbent polymers.Up to its closure, the project demonstrated (at pilot and test stand level) that the application of the above concepts could allow potentially reduced the amount of material by up to 20% in comparison with traditional products. Such an achievement would lead consequently to a reduction of outer packaging (estimated at about 20%) and of number of trucks needed for transportation of the final products (estimated at about 10%).
Most of the project’s objectives, however, were not achieved due to its early closure. The project was aborted because of the closure of the P&G Italian Research, which was carrying out the project.
