#INDEX 23

2023-02-08

Dilo shows at the Index how costs can be reduced with innovations

This year and in quick succession, there will be two flagship exhibitions for the textile and nonwovens industries. The first one - INDEX in Geneva from April 18 to 21, 2023 - for textile production with special focus on disposable textiles used in hygiene, medicine and similar applications, followed by ITMA in Milan from June 8 to 14, 2023 which shows the latest developments in textile machinery. This most important exhibition of its kind presents investments in the textile production process which meet the latest ecological demands for sustainability, recycling and reduction in energy consumption.

DiloGroup plans to participate in both exhibitions and present at INDEX the latest developments in needling technology in anticipation of the machinery exhibition ITMA and to draw the visitors’ attention to the latest demands of environmental sustainability in nonwoven production. The research work of DiloGroup traditionally focuses on production lines for the webforming and needling of staple fibre material. After years of gradual advancements in the intense needling technology, DiloGroup has succeeded in achieving the industrial scale of “MicroPunch” intense needling technology.

Good abrasion resistance of this intensely needled material allows the production of apparel, artificial leather, battery separators and filter media as well as medical and hygiene nonwovens.

The production of comfort tissues with a weight range of 30 to approx. 60 g/m2 made from fine fibre blends using polyester and viscose has been a domain of the water-entangling technology so far. This product being a typical disposable is in the crossfire regarding sustainability and recyclability. Therefore biodegradable or decomposable fibre material is the target for more environmental sustainability.

In addition, for the evaluation of a web consolidation process, low carbon emission and low energy consumption are important criteria.

The classical needling technology and its qualification for the production of lightweight nonwovens at low cost/kg has been technologically and economically proved in the meantime after many years of research work. It has become possible by an intense concentration of needles in the board and very fine barbs on these specialty needles which allow an economic mounting and quick exchange due to a new module design.

Compared to water-entangling lines, the “MicroPunch” needling line provides a drastic reduction in energy consumption (electricity and gas).

In view of heavily increased costs for electricity and gas, this reduced consumption has a great impact on the total cost for a kilogram of finished product in many countries.

DILO looks forward to welcoming you at booth # 2010 during INDEX.

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

Modernizing Needling – DiloGroup at Techtextil & INDEX 2026

With the theme “Modernizing Needling”, the DiloGroup presents a comprehensively enhanced portfolio for needling technology. The objective is to further increase the performance and application range of needlefelt production lines in terms of productivity, flexibility, and the development of new products, thereby meeting the growing demands of modern technical textiles.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

In 2026, the Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling once again brought together some of the key stakeholders in textile recycling for its annual Networking Day. This year, the event took place at EREMA’s premises in Ansfelden, Austria. It brought together key players from across the textile recycling value chain for a day of structured exchange and in-depth discussions.