Naab says that the industry needs to create products that satisfy this demanding market. For this reason, Nutrition & Biosciences is focusing on developing new hygiene solutions that deliver positive laundry experiences. “We are focusing on the holistic sensory impact,” says Naab. “It’s the new industry battleground.”
Understanding the motivation of consumers is central to Nutrition & Biosciences’s strategy. It’s all part of what Naab calls the greater ‘emotional value’ of new hygiene solutions.
Defined by sensory experiences, Nutrition & Biosciences is focused on four hygiene challenges:
Current surfactants and other detergent cleaning agents often struggle to penetrate synthetic, hydrophobic fabrics, leading to persistent and unpleasant odor Nutrition & Biosciences calls Permastink.
Washing at low temperatures isn’t always sufficient to deal with certain gram-positive bacteria. If left to grow, they can cause nasty smells, a particular problem in the developing world where laundry often takes place at ambient temperature.
Leaving washing to dry in the air can result in the development of unpleasant, ‘musty’ smells. It’s an issue in small apartments where people don’t have the space for a dryer, or where consumers can’t afford one.
Biofilms can grow on any surface that’s wet, which makes a washing machine the perfect environment for them. The films can produce unpleasant aromas, which can transfer to wash items.