#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2021-06-11

The International Nonwovens Symposium 2021 keeps its momentum

With a total of 182 delegates from across the nonwovens industry logging on, the latest online edition of the International Nonwovens Symposium again confirmed the event as a key occasion for the sector, showcasing EDANA’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the industry.

Held from 9-10 June, the interactive format was a key component in ensuring participants could actively engage, managing over hundreds of video and chat meetings via a virtual platform as well as enjoying a varied choice of conference presentations, panel discussions and live Q&A sessions. The conference programme examined market trends throughout 2020 (a period which saw record nonwovens production), sustainability initiatives and new product developments via presentations and lively Q&A sessions. With a range of companies promoting new products and insights via product presentations and hundreds of new online contacts made, participants from across the whole supply chain once again made the most of all the INS offers.

Delegate feedback was very positive at the close of the event. "The symposium was a wide-ranging exploration of topics with a tight focus on the circular economy and tools of enabling it.” said Vova Nesin, Research and Innovation Director at Pentatonic “The action-oriented and collaboration-focussed session was both innovatively produced and highly engaging, allowing for dynamic sharing and debating within a really insightful group of leaders."

Johan Berlin, Managing Director of InvestKonsult, also spoke of the rewarding way networking was facilitated. "I was pleasantly surprised at how well the virtual forum worked and how easy the Swapcard platform made it to communicate and interact. Like everyone else, I am very much looking forward to meeting people in person again, but this was a great substitute!”

“This was a really rewarding event for us at EDANA to host” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA. “For so many professionals to dedicate their time and share their expertise with the wider nonwovens community is a real testament to the ongoing attraction of the symposium. I was enthused by the scope of durable nonwoven products covered and the impressive convergence of sustainability considerations and the topics covering the automotive and construction sectors. I was also very encouraged by the level of engagement amongst the delegates, with a great amount of interaction and knowledge sharing.”

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.