#Associations

2022-07-07

EDANA elects new board and awards Krzysztof D. Malowaniec with EDANA Life-Time Achievement

EDANA welcomes 6 new governors (c) 2022 EDANA

EDANA, the leading global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has elected six new Governors and a new team of Officers for 2022 - 2023. Mikael Staal Axelsen (Fibertex Personal Care) remains as Chair, supported by new Vice-Chairs Omar Hoek (SWM International, Luxembourg) and Jörg Ortmeier (TWE, Germany) and Treasurer Giorgio Mantovani (Corman, Italy). Announced at EDANA’s recent Annual Strategic Review and AGM held in Lyon, the newly elected board began their term on July 1st, by when Murat Dogru also takes over as General Manager.

The association is ready to address future challenges with new general manager and renewed officers team

“EDANA now has over 310 members and a broader reach and wider scope than ever, after reinforcing its representation even during the pandemic. It is encouraging therefore to welcome new blood with Murat Dogru as General Manager and a renewal of expertise to our board” said Mr. Staal Axelsen. “The ongoing member confidence in our association to drive our determined and broad agenda is very rewarding. EDANA’s ongoing successful fostering of an environment beneficial to innovation, and to sustainable and profitable growth, is a great testament to the professionalism of the team and our members.”

The following Governors were elected as new Board members:

• Matthew Bird, Global Vice President - Paul Hartmann, Germany

• Robin Guillaud: EVP Sustainability, Innovation, Marketing, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, France

• Klaus Hering, Vice President Sales & Business Development, RKW SE, Germany

• Daniel Krumme, Managing Director, Innovatec Microfibre Technology, Germany

• Anke Renz, Global VP R&D Personal Care, Essity, Sweden

• Lori A. Shaffer, Vice President, Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark, United States

The team of Officers is reinforced by Executive Governors, co-opted by the Board: Mr Thorsten Habeck (Business Director - Fiber Bonding Europe, Middle East & Africa, BASF, Germany), Mr Ulrich Hornfeck (Board Member & Chief Commercial Officer, Sandler, Germany), and Mr Mark A. Thornton (Vice President Global Materials and Packaging, Procter & Gamble, United States).

A complete list of the EDANA Board of Governors is available on the website.

https://www.edana.org/about-us/edana-board

At the June AGM, special thanks were extended to Mr Krzysztof Malowaniec (Paul Hartmann) who is retiring and leaving the EDANA Board of Governors after over 25 years, an exceptional commitment for which he received an EDANA Life-Time Achievement Award.

INDEX™26: A strong edition in a challenging context, confirming Geneva’s role as a global hub for innovation in the nonwovens sector

EDANA’s INDEX™26, the world’s leading trade fair for nonwovens, co-organised with Palexpo, officially concluded last Friday 22 May with a successful edition. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens’ ecosystem.

PET spunbond from China – EDANA welcomes imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures

On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China. EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

Turkmenistan: Italian textile machinery focuses on high technology and specialization

The Italian textile machinery industry flies to Ashgabat to participate with a large “Made in Italy” delegation at TURKMEN TEXTILE EXPO 2026, the major international showcase taking place from June 4 to 6, 2026. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), aims to consolidate Italy’s primary technological role in a highly strategic market with interesting prospects.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.