Christine de Kogel, New Product Development Manager, and Fabian Groven, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, explain: 

"We are proud of our current Swash® product range which includes wash cloths (wipes) and wash gloves (gloves) for washing, incontinence care and disinfection. But of course we are always happy to think one step further, for young and old." 

Nothing as sensitive as baby's bottom

Christine tells more about one of Arion's most recent projects. "We are currently developing wet baby wipes that are biodegradable. With that, the wipes have a lower ecological footprint than regular wet baby wipes. Also, the wipes are especially suitable for neonatal baby skin."

"This is how we work together to create a more sustainable and healthy society"

Lower ecological footprint

The reason for the development was twofold. "First, we saw that the current baby wipes in the market regularly cause irritated baby skin. Especially in premature and newborn babies. '. The biodegradable baby wipes offer a solution for this. Secondly, we saw opportunities to reduce the ecological footprint of using baby wipes."

How exactly does it work? 

"The wipes are impregnated with a 'water/oil' emulsion (w/o emulsion). Important here is that the wipes consist of a minimum of 50% oil and a maximum of 50% water. The current baby wipes on the market are generally developed with a base of more than 80% water. Water can break down the natural protection of the skin of newborns. By using more oil, the wipes contribute to the natural protection of baby's skin. In addition, a lower concentration of preservatives in the product reduces the risk of allergies later in life."

Sustainable and healthier 

It was not difficult for LIOF to assess this project positively. Charles Mevis of LIOF: "The project contributes to a more sustainable and healthier society. For us an important selection criteria in our decision which entrepreneur or project we support." LIOF made the development of this product possible with a subsidy from Limburg Makers. Christine: "Of course we are very happy with that. The assessment procedure also helped us to streamline the project and make it more concrete."

New lessons for our Swash® products

Sustainability is one of Arion's strategic pillars and the baby wipes project fits perfectly into that. Fabian: "In the coming years, we want to take big steps in making our Swash® products more sustainable. In the spring of 2020, we mapped out various possibilities for this during the first Limburg CIRCO track. We can apply the lessons from the CIRCO track to the baby wipes project and also want to apply them in the future to making our Swash® products for the healthcare sector more sustainable. In this way, we can continue to offer added value to healthcare staff, patients and society in an increasingly sustainable way. Not only now, but also in the longer term."

New for Arion and the market

A biodegradable baby wipe based on a w/o emulsion is new for Arion, but also for the market. Arion is therefore very enthusiastic about making this innovative product a success. Christine: "The coming period we will focus on selecting the most suitable (mainly natural) oils to apply in the final product."

"Someone always has to start somewhere. Why can't that be you?"

Tips?

Naturally we won't let Christine and Fabian go without a few valuable tips for entrepreneurs. To also do business more sustainably, smarter and with more attention to health. 

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate ...

Christine: "So working together. That is certainly a requirement for achieving sustainable solutions. Cooperation with chain partners is a no-brainer, in our case the supplier of the cellulose fibers in the nonwoven fabric and the supplier of the nonwoven fabric itself. But sometimes you have to look outside the chain for solutions." 

... because you can't solve everything yourself

"And fortunately you don't have to! But don't wait for others to come up with solutions ... which brings us to the second tip: just start somewhere." Arion's managers conclude with a big smile, "Don't think you can't change anything. Someone always has to start somewhere. Why can't it be you?"

More about Arion? Go to www.arion-group.com