#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2025-03-06

FILTREX Innovation Award 2025: Announcing the nominees

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, is pleased to announce the three nominees for the FILTREX™ Innovation Award 2025, recognizing outstanding innovation in the filtration industry. The FILTREX™ Innovation Award honors innovation in the filtration sector, recognizing the ongoing commitment to excellence by manufacturers of nonwoven-based filtration products and components.

The nominees are:

GESSNER – Lignin-Saturated Cellulose Filter Media

GESSNER’s innovative lignin-saturated cellulose filter media sets a new standard in sustainable filtration. Designed to reduce your product’s carbon footprint, this eco-friendly solution replaces fossil-based resins with renewable lignin, saving up to 100 kg of crude oil per ton of material. Perfect for engine air, oil, and fuel filter elements, it combines top-tier filtration performance and durability with lower formaldehyde emissions during curing. Experience sustainability without compromise - achieve high-efficiency filtration, optional flame retardancy, and a tangible step towards a greener future with our lignin filter media.

Hollingsworth & Vose – NanoWave®ESA

Hollingsworth & Vose is a manufacturer of engineered materials. Their innovation NanoWave®ESA is an all-synthetic 3D media designed for high efficiency respiratory protection. Filters can be designed with minimum media processing while extending the filter life. It is free of PFAS, is safe to use, and can meet the demand for smaller and smaller filters without compromising on comfort. NanoWave®ESA can be produced with a stretch so that highly efficient, stretchable, breathable and drapable garment can be cut to size.

Johns Manville – Evalith®

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and a leader in the filtration business with manufacturing lines in Europe and the US, has pioneered an innovative recycling process that converts post-industrial HVAC bio-soluble glass microfiber filtration media waste into compounded pellets for injection molding. The resulting pellets, with 30% glass fiber, are being used to create durable, second-life products. This eco-friendly solution prevents landfill waste, reduces CO? emissions, and supports a circular economy.

Each of the three companies will have a 10-minute slot to present its innovation during the FILTREX™ 2025 event, held on 25-26 March 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes and select the winner, with the award being presented during a reception at the end of the first day.

Since its launch in 2004, FILTREX™ has established itself as the leading platform for professionals in the filtration media sector. This two-day conference gathers executives and technical experts from across the industry, including filter media producers, converters, raw material suppliers, testing equipment manufacturers, laboratories, and research institutions. The programme offers insights into market trends, cutting-edge filter materials, advancements in media design, air and liquid filtration, automotive applications, and developments in testing and standardization.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the event—only a few spots remain!

Visit the following website to register:

https://www.edana.org/events/filtrex/filtrex-europe/registration-filtrex-europe?utm_source=press+release&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=filtrex+promotion+2025+innovation+award

INDEX™26: A strong edition in a challenging context, confirming Geneva’s role as a global hub for innovation in the nonwovens sector

EDANA’s INDEX™26, the world’s leading trade fair for nonwovens, co-organised with Palexpo, officially concluded last Friday 22 May with a successful edition. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens’ ecosystem.

PET spunbond from China – EDANA welcomes imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures

On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China. EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

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.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.