#Nonwovens

2026-01-29

Redefining wetness indicator with new backside printing technology

Fibertex Personal Care AG, (Innowo Print) has invested in a backside inline printing unit at its print facility in Germany. The new technology is fully integrated into an existing W&H flexographic press and comes in response to increased demand for the company’s Innowo Print speciality solutions.

As baby care and adult incontinence care products evolve, needs for more advanced design and product performance continue to shape product development. One area particularly ready for innovation is the wetness indicator – traditionally applied offline, limited in format, and constrained by process complexity.

This new technology enables fully inline application of wetness indicators, surfactants, and functional coatings – delivered in perfect register with the surface print with no compromise in subsequent processability.

From linear indicators to integrated functional design

Traditionally, wetness indicators have been simple, offline-applied linear stripes limited to technical zones – the new Innowo Print solution changes that. Register control and wide format printing capability allows brand owners to integrate functional elements directly into the overall artwork.

This expanded capability unlocks a wide design landscape, such as pattern-based functional zones, icon-based indicator systems, full-surface graphic integrations, and design elements aligned front-to-back.

Supporting functional coatings and surfactants on nonwovens and film

Beyond wetness indicators, the system supports coating and functional printing on various nonwoven materials. This enables improved fluid management, targeted hydrophilic or hydrophobic zones, and other performance-improving features applied directly during printing.

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.

EDANA warns of consequences of misclassification of PET spunbond imports

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing nonwovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in our industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers.

INDEX™ unveils the first selection of product presentations

A mosaic showcasing several speakers from the Exhibitor Product Presentations at INDEX™26 A comprehensive programme of company presentations will take place across the three days of the INDEX™26 exhibition at Geneva Palexpo, reflecting many aspects of the ongoing transition to sustainable materials through polymer and additives design, fibre engineering and new finishing chemistries.

ITM 2026 will bring the global textile technologies industry together in Istanbul

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, considered one of the most important organizations in the field of textile technologies in the world, is preparing to bring together all stakeholders of the industry in Istanbul between June 9–13, 2026. The exhibition, where advanced technology machines and innovative solutions for every stage of the textile production chain will be showcased, will offer an important global meeting platform for manufacturers, technology providers, investors, and professional visitors.

Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® wins the iF Design Award 2026

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereinafter “YKK”) is proud to announce that its Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® has been awarded the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, an award that recognizes excellence in design and quality, organized by iF Design Foundation.

AI Circular Economy Conference 2026 fuels innovation at the intersection of AI and Circular Economy

The AI Circular Economy Conference 2026, organised by nova-Institute, brought together 116 participants from 15 countries in Cologne and online to explore the transformation of the chemical and materials industry supported and accelerated by artificial intelligence. During the two-day event, leading experts from industry, research, start-ups and the investment community discussed how AI can maximise the potential of renewable carbon creating efficient circular value chains. The conference featured 24 presentations and multiple panel discussions, highlighting the growing convergence of digital technologies and circular material systems. It demonstrated how artificial intelligence is progressing from the experimental stage to real industrial implementation within the circular economy.