#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2021-02-04

Brexit: EU-UK nonwovens trade facilitated with specific rules of origin

EDANA welcomes the Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed in December 2020 between the European Union and the United Kingdom and, in particular, its specific rules of origin for nonwovens.

The most recent available figures cover 2019, when the UK exported nonwoven roll goods worth €96 million to the EU, while export traffic in the other direction reached a value of €280 million. The UK remains the second biggest trade partner for EU local manufacturers after the US.

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, said “this trade agreement not only guarantees that nonwoven roll goods will be able to continue to travel between EU member states and UK without customs duties, but also recognizes that a nonwoven process is sufficient to confer the origin on the product.

“In order to qualify for the zero preferential tariff under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, products classified in HS 5603 must originate in the EU or the United Kingdom. According to the specific rule for nonwovens, devised and promoted by EDANA, and included in the TCA, any nonwovens produced locally will be considered as originating in the EU or United Kingdom, even if it has been produced using non-originating materials.”

Jacques Prigneaux added “obviously, EDANA member companies can contact me and I will be pleased to guide them through the procedure to claim a preferential import tariff.”

Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA said “In this news, I see two key achievements and subjects of satisfaction for nonwoven producers whom we value as the core of EDANA’s membership. On one hand, the ability for all of them to keep doing ‘business as usual’, or even expand trade opportunities, whether they trade from the EU or the UK, and on the other hand, the official recognition, hopefully once and for all, of the fact that manufacturing nonwoven roll goods is a substantial enough operation to confer origin status of the country where the resulting goods are obtained. This latter event marks another step in the independence of the nonwovens industry from the traditional textile customs rules which too often unnecessarily constrained its development.”

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

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.

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.

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.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.