#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.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

Kimberly-Clark develops alternative natural fiber platform for hygiene products

Kimberly-Clark has introduced a proprietary innovation program aimed at developing alternative natural fibers for future hygiene products. The company has created a patented materials platform based on fibers derived from hesperaloe, a drought-tolerant succulent native to the southwestern United States.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).