[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

EDANA elects new Board

Association’s broader reach and wider scope to be supported with new expertise© 2021 Edana
EDANA, the leading global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has elected five new Governors and confirmed the team of Officers for 2021 - 2022. Mikael Staal Axelsen (Fibertex) remains as Chair, supported by continuing Vice-Chairs Åsa Johansson (Essity, Sweden) and David Lamb (Nonwovenn, UK) and Treasurer Giorgio Mantovani (Corman, Italy). Announced at EDANA’s recent online Annual Strategic Review and AGM, the newly elected board began their term on July 1st.

“EDANA now has over 320 members and a broader reach and wider scope than ever. It is encouraging therefore to welcome such a range of expertise on to our board” said Mr. Staal Axelsen. “The ongoing member confidence in our assembly to drive our determined and broad agenda is very rewarding. EDANA’s ongoing successful fostering of an environment beneficial to innovation, and to sustainable and profitable growth, is a great testament to the professionalism of the team and our members.”

The following Governors were elected as new Board members:

• Mr Cédric Ballay, CEO, PFNonwovens, Spain

• Mr. Jürgen Eizinger, Vice President of Global Business Management Nonwovens Division, Lenzing, Austria

• Mr. Omar Hoek, Executive Vice President Engineered Papers, SWM, Luxembourg

• Mr. Achim Schalk, Executive Vice President & General Manager HHS EMEIA, Berry Global, Germany

• Mr. Michael Trinkaus, Director R&D and Application Engineering, Mondi, Germany



The team of Officers is reinforced by Executive Governors, co-opted by the Board: Mr Thorsten Habeck (Business Director - Fiber Bonding Europe, Middle East & Africa, BASF, Germany), Mr Ulrich Hornfeck (Board Member & Chief Commercial Officer, Sandler, Germany), Mr Krzysztof D. Malowaniec (Senior Vice President, Paul Hartmann, Germany), Mr Jörg Ortmeier (CEO, TWE Group, Germany) and Mr Mark A. Thornton (Vice President Global Materials and Packaging, Procter & Gamble, United States).

At the June AGM, special thanks were extended to Mr Frantisek Klaska (PFNonwovens), who is leaving the EDANA Board of Governors after 20 years.

A complete list of the EDANA Board of Governors is available on our website:

https://www.edana.org/about-us/edana-board



More News from EDANA

#Nonwovens

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.

#Nonwovens

EDANA and more than 70 industry organisations call for consistent exemptions in EU packaging regulation

EDANA, together with more than 70 industry associations and organisations, has issued a joint statement commenting on the European Commission’s Delegated Act under Article 29 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

#INDEX 2026

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 2026

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.

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

#Techtextil 2026

SAHM Winding Solutions and Vandewiele Automation present integrated automation solution for winding processes

For the first time at the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany (21 - 26 April), SAHM Winding Solutions (Hallo 12.0. / Booth 95) and Vandewiele Automation will be showcasing their combined automation expertise for industrial winding processes. Under the motto “Combining Automation. Maximizing Flow”, the two companies will demonstrate how automated package handling and robot-assisted yarn knotting can be integrated into a continuous production flow.

#Recycled Fibers

UNIFI celebrates recycled and circular Innovation with ninth annual REPREVE® Champions of Sustainability Awards

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today announced the winners of its ninth annual REPREVE Champions of Sustainability Awards, recognizing brands and mills that are advancing circularity and responsible manufacturing across the global textile industry.

#Man-Made Fibers

Teijin Frontier announces new Stretch Polyester yarn offering exceptional compatibility with high-performance Polyester materials

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. announced today that it has developed a new stretch polyester yarn that offers new opportunities to create comfortable, all- polyester fabrics for sports and outdoor wear. The new polyester yarn demonstrates exceptional compatibility with high-performance polyester materials. Further, Teijin Frontier’s proprietary polymer design and spinning technology impart excellent elasticity to the new yarn. In turn, this yarn adds stretchability and recovery to the advanced functionality and excellent texture of high-performance polyester materials.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing commissions 14 MW power‑to‑heat facility, strengthening grid stability and heat management

The Lenzing Group has successfully commissioned a new power‑to‑heat (P2H) facility with an electrical capacity of 14 megawatts. The installation converts renewable electricity directly into process heat, is fully integrated into the existing heat network at the industrial site, and represents a key building block for a fossil‑free heat supply. As project partner, VERBUND was responsible for the energy‑market integration and will operate the facility for balancing energy marketing, enabling it to respond flexibly to short‑term fluctuations in the power grid.

TOP