Synthomer has entered a new partnership with Woosh, a Belgian company dedicated to making diapers circular – which refers to keeping materials in use for as long as possible – and eliminating diaper waste.
The collaboration combines Woosh's pioneering “give-back” diaper model and Synthomer’s expertise in adhesives – an essential component in diapers. Together, the two organisations are working to break diapers down to their molecular level, extract high-quality materials, and use those materials to produce new diapers.
Diapers account for a significant share of household waste and designing them with circularity in mind is becoming increasingly important. Woosh is tackling this challenge by creating a closed-loop system that keeps used diapers out of landfills and incinerators without changing the habits of childcare providers and parents.
Synthomer’s role in this partnership is twofold. First, Synthomer is working to ensure that the adhesives used in diapers can be recycled safely and effectively – and, over time, made from materials that are not directly derived from oil. Second, Synthomer's position in the value chain gives it a unique ability to connect diaper manufacturers with upstream materials suppliers, helping to promote circularity at scale across the sector.
Michaela Hofbauer, Vice President of Sustainable Innovation at Synthomer, comments: “This collaboration marks the first time we have entered a partnership focused on circular hygiene materials, positioning us at the forefront of an emerging market."
Stephan Lynen, President of Adhesive Solutions division, adds: "It is a powerful example of how our strategic focus on innovation and sustainability can drive the industry’s shift toward circular products. We share this passion with Woosh, and are developing solutions that could significantly reduce waste, while maintaining the quality and safety that consumers expect.”
Alby Roseveare, CTO and Co-founder of Woosh, comments: “The biggest technical barrier to circular diapers isn’t collection anymore – it’s materials. Synthomer brings the adhesive and polymer expertise we need to make circular diapers viable at scale. This collaboration accelerates what we’ve been working toward from day one.”
Jeff Stubbe, CEO and Co-founder, adds: “At Woosh, we’ve always believed that diaper recycling doesn’t have to be the end of the road for us. This partnership with Synthomer is a pivotal step. It means we can now address circularity, not just at the ecosystem level, but deep within the material supply chain. Together, we’re building a future where diapers go back – not to landfill or incineration – but to the economy.”
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Contact: media@synthomer.com; Synthomer@fticonsulting.com; jeff@woosh.care
About Synthomer plc
Synthomer plc is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets for customers who serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,800 employees across our five innovation centres of excellence and 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia.
Our purpose is creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the benefit of customers and society. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products. At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, China, Germany, Malaysia and USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits.
Our 2030 decarbonisation targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as being in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and since 2021 we have held the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. Find us at www.synthomer.com or search for Synthomer on LinkedIn.
About Woosh
Woosh is a diaper brand with a mission to create a world without diaper waste. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, Woosh distributes its give-back disposable diapers to daycare centres and parents across Belgium, and after use takes them back for processing through its proprietary separation and recycling system. Woosh is building the infrastructure for a fully circular ecosystem for disposable diapers through it's multiple sales channels and is expanding its products and services internationally.
For more information, visit woosh.care