“With over 9,300 visitor entries over the 4 days, and an overwhelming sentiment among exhibitors of an unexpected attendance and quality of key decision-makers from across the globe, we are told by all those we have met that this is undoubtedly a resounding success under the circumstances” says Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA.

Following a record year for nonwovens production in Greater Europe, with a growth of 7.2% in 2020 to reach 3,075,615 tonnes (largely due to the highest ever demand for materials intensively used to fight the pandemic) this was the first opportunity in 4 years for the community of professionals from across the whole supply chain to meet in person.

The visitors count is even more remarkable considering that over a thousand further professionals joined the on-line version of INDEX™, as the show was presented for the first time ever in a hybrid format, allowing exhibitors to march their live with virtual stands featuring their products and services. The virtual platform will stay accessible until 15 November to allow all on-site and virtual participants to watch the content from the 6 sector seminars (Sustainability, Filtration, Geosynthetics, Transportation, Smart Nonwovens and Infection Prevention) as well as the content provided by all the exhibitors.

“We are delighted to note that this “augmented reality” offer was so well received, and since the Swapcard platform which supported this will continue to be accessible to the 2500 pre-registered delegates for several weeks, as well as any other new visitors, we expect that those who missed the numerous side events such as the 6 Sector seminars, or wish to prolong their contacts with exhibitors, will continue to benefit from INDEX™ in an innovative way” says Magali Fakhry Dufresne, INDEX™ Exhibition Director, PALEXPO.