SPRAYTechnology & Marketing Commentary No one asked the jellyfish... Israel-based nanotechnology company Cine’al Ltd. is developing technology to turn jellyfish, which are currently clogging up Israel’s beaches, into a superabsorbent material for use in a variety of paper products that can benefit from the jellyfish’s absorbency, including diapers, paper towels and even tampons. Cine’al is interested in turning the animals into “super absorbers” by using a conversion process called Hydromash. The products can feature attributes of regular paper products, with antibacterial qualities, colors or scents. “One-third of disposable waste in dumps consists of diapers,” Ofer Du-Nour, Cine’al Chairman & President told the Times of Israel. “A newborn baby generates, on average, 70 kilos (154 lbs) of diapers a year, maybe more.” According to the Real Diaper Association, more than 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby each year. Jellyfish diapers would be able to take in twice as much liquid and biodegrade in less than a month, while traditional diapers made from synthetic material take eons to break down. Biodegradable diapers aren’t new, but the jellyfish’s invasive species status makes the potential product all the more sustainable. What has this to do with sprays? Nothing, except that the mental image of a baby in a jellyfish diaper made me laugh, and also that it serves as an indicator of the innovation being driven by an ever-increasing baby care market. Despite shrinking birthrates in the U.S., the global baby care market is expected to increase its total sales to $66.8 billion by 2017, according to Statista.com. Possible growth drivers are the fact that baby care products are being used for longer periods of time, and that parents want the best available products for their baby, thereby disregarding higher costs. One innovative baby care product that recently caught my eye was Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray, developed by San Antonio-based Mission Pharmacia Co. Not just for squeamish dads, the spray has a touch-free application. My first thought was “Great! Now you don’t even have to touch the baby!” However, further consideration of the product indicated that the actual benefits of the spray were very similar to those of aerosol sunscreen: a thin, even layer of protection; a moisture barrier to protect skin from wetness; no rubbing; no over-spray; a formula that won’t cake or run; and a cooling effect to soothe irritation. Like with the newly announced aerosol cake (see p. 46), it’s hard to believe no one thought to formulate such a great product a long time ago. 6 Spray September 2014 Cynthia Hundley Publisher chundley@spraytm.com Ava Caridad Editorial Director acaridad@spraytm.com Greg Dool Assistant Editor gdool@spraytm.com Montfort A. Johnsen Technical Editor montyjohnsen@att.net Susan Carver Vice President, Administration scarver@spraytm.com Doug Bacile National Sales Manager dbacile@spraytm.com Donald Farrell Production production@spraytm.com Joy Cunningham Reader Service Coordinator readerservice@spraytm.com Circulation circulation@spraytm.com Member: CAPCO Volume 24, No 9, September 2014 Copyright 2014 by Industry Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part may be reprinted without written permission from the Publisher. Spray Technology & Marketing (ISSN No.1055-2340) is published monthly by Industry Publications, Inc. Correspondence for editorial, advertising and circulation to: 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Phone: 973-331-9545 • Fax: 973-331-9547 Subscription inquiries: circulation@spraytm.com Internet: spraytm.com, twitter.com/SprayTechnology Periodical postage paid at Parsippany, NJ and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Spray Technology & Marketing, 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Subscription rates: U.S. 1-year $50.00; Canada & Mexico 1-year $60.00. Airmail Rates to foreign countries: $130.00/yr. Single copies of current issues: $12.00. Directory Issue (Buyers Guide) $27.00 (includes shipping). Missing issues: Claims for missing issues must be made within three months of the date of the issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Industry Publications, Inc. also publishes Indoor Comfort Marketing The opinions expressed in this publication are not intended to be, nor should they be interpreted as, a replacement for professional, legal advice. Ava Caridad, Editorial Director Editorial Director
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