Thursday, November 20
9:00 am - 11:00 am
SAP-ily Ever After: Sustainable Absorbency Isn’t a Fairy Tale
The growing environmental concern surrounding single-use disposable hygiene products has heightened the demand for sustainable alternatives in absorbent consumer products. The widespread use of super absorbent polymers (SAPs), such as sodium polyacrylate, a non-biodegradable, petroleum-based material, is resulting in accumulation in landfills around the world at an alarming rate. In the United States alone, approximately 27 billion diapers and 45 billion feminine hygiene products are used and discarded each year.
While conventional SAPs remain unmatched in absorption performance at scale, their long-term environmental impact is increasingly unsustainable. There are ongoing efforts being made to develop biodegradable alternatives, focusing on natural polymers and fiber-based matrices that contain high-absorption capacity without lingering in the environment.
This presentation will outline an innovative approach to absorbent core construction, consisting of biobased superabsorbent materials as a drop-in replacement to conventional SAP beads. We will explore the architecture which phases out the reliance on air-laid SAP beads, while retaining compatibility with manufacturing and fluff pulp lines, reducing material waste, and enhancing cost and process efficiency.
Attendees will gain insight into the design and construction behind biobased absorbent cores, including high-performing fluff pulp technology and fiber compatibility; key aspects in creating next-generation hygiene products aligned with environmental and regulatory pressures.
» Elizabeth Huth-Helriegel
Business Development Director, Soane Materials
BIOGRAPHY
Liz’s nearly two decades of experience in the personal care and cleaning industries drive Soane Materials’ mission to develop plant-based, biodegradable alternatives to petrochemicals and plastics. Her expertise supports the company’s efforts to create innovative products while partnering with leading manufacturers and brand owners to bring sustainable solutions to market. With a strong background in product management, sales, and marketing, Liz’s strategic leadership and proven ability to expand markets will be key to accelerating Soane Materials’ growth and innovation in the consumer cleaning products sector.She most recently served as Industry Market Manager at Brenntag, where she managed top vendors for the Personal Care and HI&I (CARE) teams. Her tenure was marked by consistent year-over-year growth, driven by supply chain optimization projects, targeted marketing campaigns, and international collaborations. She also spearheaded cross-industry initiatives and digital transformation efforts that strengthened supplier relationships and enhanced operational efficiencies. Prior to Brenntag, Liz held key roles at Clariant, Univar Solutions, Stepan, and Nouryon, further solidifying her expertise in ingredient solutions and market strategy.
