#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.

Modernizing Needling – DiloGroup at Techtextil & INDEX 2026

With the theme “Modernizing Needling”, the DiloGroup presents a comprehensively enhanced portfolio for needling technology. The objective is to further increase the performance and application range of needlefelt production lines in terms of productivity, flexibility, and the development of new products, thereby meeting the growing demands of modern technical textiles.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.