[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

INDA webinar series to address global nonwovens issues: upcoming facemask standards, single use plastics legislation, and impacts of recent capacity announcement

© 2021 INDA
INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry, is taking the lead to inform the nonwovens/engineered materials industry with three one-hour webinars on the toughest issues facing the North American Nonwovens Industry. These critical issues include: facemask performance standards, single use plastics (SUP) legislative policy issues, and industry impacts from recent capacity announcements in Spunbond/Spunmelt/”Spunlace” caused by COVID-19 demand for wipes, medical gowns, and facemask materials.

The one-hour webinars will be held at 11 am EDT on March 16th, 25th, and April 6th, and include subject matter experts in facemask standards, plastics legislation, and nonwoven supply/demand analysis. Topics include:

The New ASTM Performance Standard for General Public Facemasks and Resultant Design/Product Opportunities

Tuesday, March 16th, 11 am EDT

Presenters: Dave Rousse, President, INDA, and Jeff Stull, President, International Personnel Protection, Inc.

To conserve meltblown fiber for the healthcare sector while using other nonwoven media to provide protection to the general public, INDA worked with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to develop a performance standard for general public facemasks.  Jeff Stull, Consultant to NIOSH and steward of the ASTM process, will discuss the purpose and development of the upcoming Standard, its two performance levels, and test methods.  Dave Rousse, President of INDA, will discuss design opportunities created for makers of facemask filter media and facemask designers.

Plastics Concerns and the Nonwovens Industry

Thursday, March 25th, 11 am EDT

Presenters:  Dave Rousse, President, INDA, Jessica Franken, Director of Government Affairs, INDA, and Tom Carlyle, Nonwovens Commercial Manager-Americas, Lenzing AG

Legislative initiatives on Single Use Plastics introduced in California, Canada and the U.S. Congress will be harmful to nonwovens, especially those that use viscose.  All businesses involved in nonwovens should know of these impending impacts on nonwoven products and the unintended consequences to their business.  Jessica Franken will review the current legislative status in states, Congress and Canada and INDA’s engagement with other plastic industry associations to address the challenges of the European Union’s approach should it be incorporated in North America.  Tom Carlyle of Lenzing will discuss the viscose/lyocell supply and interchangeability realities.



Spunbond/Spunmelt/”Spunlace” Capacity/Demand Scenarios Prompted by COVID-19

Tuesday, April 6th, 11 am EDT

Presenters: Brad Kalil, Director of Market Intelligence and Economic Insights, INDA, and Dave Rousse, President, INDA 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. federal government response to it has quickly upped the North American footprint for meltblown production. Tightness now is being seen in Spunbond/Spunmelt and in the hydroentangled wipes substrate often called “Spunlace.” Several new capacity announcements have been made in nonwovens.

INDA’s Brad Kalil had been tracking developments in these sectors and will present the 2021 North American Supply Report data and analysis with his insights on developments caused by the pandemic response in wipes, medical gowns, and facemask material supply sectors.

“The COVID-19 Pandemic has generated many challenges to the Nonwovens Industry in North America and around the world,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President. “INDA has been active in tracking, leading and advocating on several relevant policy issues enabling our members to run their businesses with confidence that INDA is on alert, looking around corners, and positioned to inform and lead in supporting our members’ ability to conduct business with the facts they need and  unimpeded by policy development challenges. These webinars deliver on those points.”

Each webinar is $99 for a single INDA Member, $250 for up to eight INDA Members from the same company, and $500 for up to 15 INDA Members from the same company. Non-member fees for the three categories are $130, $325, and $650 respectively. There is a 15% discount for Members and non-members purchasing all three webinars at one time.

Visit http://www.inda.org/inda-webinars to learn more.




More News from INDA - Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

#Nonwovens

INDA announces legislative champion and industry advocate awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the winners of its inaugural Legislative Champion and Industry Advocate of the Year Awards, recognizing policymakers and industry members for their support of the nonwovens industry’s advocacy agenda.

#Nonwovens

INDA honors four industry leaders with 2026 Lifetime Service and Technical Achievement Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the four distinguished recipients of the 2026 INDA Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs, and CK Wong are being recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry and strengthening the global community it serves.

#Associations

INDA announces future dates and locations for FiltXPO™ and IDEA® events

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the future dates and locations for its FiltXPO™ and IDEA® events, reaffirming its long-term commitment to serving the global filtration, nonwovens, and engineered materials communities.

#Nonwovens

FiltXPO™ 2026: Call for conference presentations

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with AFS, the American Filtration and Separations Society, announces the call for presentations for the Advances in Filtration Conference, to be held October 28–29, 2026, as part of FiltXPO™ 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

More News on Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

Dilo Group at ITMA ASIA Singapore 2025

At ITMA ASIA Singapore, the Dilo Group will exhibit at Booth No. H2 – D202. Together with Kansan Materials, Izmir, the company will present its latest developments and looks forward to welcoming visitors to exchange ideas and explore innovations in needling technology.

#Nonwovens

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

#Nonwovens

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

TOP