#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2025-04-17

Highlights from Suominen’s successful Innovating in Sustainability Seminar in Italy

Suominen hosted its Innovating in Sustainability Seminar in Arona, Italy, on March 19–20, 2025. The event brought together around 50 professionals from across the nonwovens value chain, creating a vibrant platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and valuable networking. The seminar was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants.

Day one featured an engaging lineup of expert presentations. Dr. Anu Kettunen, Senior Expert at KCL Finland, explored novel analytics to improve storage turnover in nonwoven hygiene products.

Noora Lindberg, Director of Sustainability & Marketing at Suominen, highlighted key sustainability priorities for the industry in 2025 and beyond.

Marko Ruottinen, Sustainability Manager at Metsä Fibre Oy, addressed the role of fiber sourcing and deforestation, while Brieuc Lits, Public Affairs Director at EDANA, provided an update on the Green Claims Directive and its impact on the industry.

Further exploring bio-based innovation, Marvin Strüfing, Sales Director at UPM and Søren Tang Klint, Fibers Technical Sales Support Lead, EMEA at Indorama Ventures introduced bio-based options for replacing fossil-based materials.

Veera Vaajasalmi, Manager, Innovation and Technology at Suominen presented Suominen ReNW, a groundbreaking approach to wet wipe recycling.

The Seminar sparked valuable discussions and new ideas, driving the industry toward a more sustainable future.

On day two, participants were invited to Suominen’s site in Cressa, Italy, for a firsthand look at the innovative Carded-Pulp-Carded (CPC) manufacturing process – an exclusive opportunity that added practical insight to the seminar experience.

A sincere thank you to all our guests for your presence, enthusiasm, and thoughtful contributions. You made the event a true success!

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

Suominen reports decline in sales and earnings – Cost savings program and leadership change to drive recovery

Finnish nonwovens manufacturer Suominen Corporation has reported a noticeable drop in both revenue and profitability for the first half of 2025, reflecting a challenging global trade environment, particularly the impact of recent U.S. tariffs, as well as persistently high energy and raw material costs.

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.

Navis TubeTex announces U.S. partnership with Icomatex

Navis TubeTex, a global leader in advanced dyeing and finishing machinery solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Icomatex (www.icomatex.com), a respected European manufacturer of high-quality stenters and textile finishing equipment. Under this agreement, Navis TubeTex will exclusively represent the Icomatex stenter line in the United States.

ADVANSA launches ADVA®tex: A new step toward textile-to-textile recycling

ADVANSA has introduced ADVA®tex, a new filling fibre made entirely from recycled pre-consumer textile waste, positioning the material as a significant step forward in textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling. The fibre is designed for use in duvets, pillows, mattresses, and furniture applications and is available in three versions.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.