#INDEX 20

2021-03-25

INDEX™20 moved to October and expanded to include hybrid format

Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the desire to provide the nonwovens community with an outstanding industry showcase, whilst ensuring the best possible health protection and safety to a broad international audience, has been of paramount concern to the INDEX™ Organisers.

Due to on-going travel restrictions and unforeseen delays in vaccination programmes, the Organisers are forced to recognise that the lifting of the Swiss federal governmental restrictions regarding sizeable gatherings of people and a consequent return to normal business, may take a little longer than anticipated.

To ensure that INDEX™20 has every opportunity of taking place this year, the INDEX™20 Organisers, PALEXPO and EDANA, have decided to adopt two important measures, designed to guarantee the widest possible visibility and participation for all.

The first is to announce that INDEX™20 is postponed until 19 – 22 October 2021.

As a major international event in the nonwovens calendar, the Organisers feel they must take advantage of every possibility of maximising visitor attendance and ROI for exhibitors. Delaying the event for an additional 6 weeks will increase the opportunities for a broader range of participants to attend INDEX™20 in person. Naturally, the strictest health protocols will be applied and rigorously observed at the event, to ensure the best conditions are in place for conducting business safely.

The second initiative is to introduce a comprehensive virtual platform for INDEX™20. This exciting digital tool will enable the over 14,000 exhibitors and visitors to interact directly if they so wish, extend the event’s reach both in terms of geography and applications, and provide live and on-demand product content and information. A data-driven matchmaking facility will assist participants in contacting and networking with like-minded attendees in their particular sector.

PALEXPO and EDANA remain available for any further information that may be required and thank you for your continued support.

2025 Nonwoven production in Greater Europe: European Nonwovens Industry remains strong amid challenging market conditions

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, released today the European annual statistics for 2025, offering a comprehensive picture of the nonwovens industry in Greater Europe. This information shows an overview of the industry’s strength and resilience across the region. According to the figures collected and compiled by EDANA, overall nonwovens production in Europe declined by around 2.2% in 2025, reaching 2,919,000 tonnes.

EDANA unveils nominees for INDEX™26 Awards: Highlighting the next generation of nonwoven excellence

EDANA is proud to unveil the highly anticipated nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, these finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance.

INDEX™26: Pioneering highlights at the World’s leading nonwovens exhibition

INDEX™26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at PALEXPO in Geneva. The upcoming edition serves as a hub for innovation, inspiration, and networking with international decision-makers, positioning itself as a cross-industry platform for exchange across all nonwoven sectors. With 600 exhibitors expected, INDEX™26 represents the entire value chain of the industry, from raw materials and machinery to producers of nonwovens, components, and converters.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.