#Nonwovens

2026-03-18

EDANA and more than 70 industry organisations call for consistent exemptions in EU packaging regulation

EDANA, together with more than 70 industry associations and organisations, has issued a joint statement commenting on the European Commission’s Delegated Act under Article 29 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

The signatories welcome the Commission’s decision to introduce a derogation for pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets defined in Article 29(2) and (3). According to the statement, this move reflects a growing recognition of the operational challenges consistently raised by stakeholders across the European packaging value chain. Industry representatives have long argued that these transport packaging formats are not suitable for reuse and that no scalable alternatives currently exist that can ensure comparable levels of load stability, product protection, transport safety, and operational reliability.

At the same time, the joint statement highlights a key inconsistency. While exempting pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets, the Commission maintains the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1) for the same applications. According to EDANA and its co-signatories, the technical and safety limitations apply equally in both cases.

Pallet wrapping films, for example, lose their structural integrity once cut upon delivery, while pallet straps are designed for single-use stabilisation and cannot reliably maintain performance after removal. In industrial logistics environments—where high loads, repeated handling, and long transport distances are standard—any reduction in load-securing performance can pose risks to workers, compromise product integrity, and affect transport safety.

The organisations therefore warn that maintaining the 40% reuse target for these formats risks creating a regulatory framework that is difficult to implement consistently and raises concerns regarding legal certainty and proportionality. A fragmented approach could also undermine broader EU objectives related to simplification, competitiveness, and industrial resilience.

Against this backdrop, EDANA and more than 70 co-signatories call on the European Commission to adopt a delegated act extending the exemption to the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1), and to include comparable transport packaging solutions. Prioritising recyclability or recycled content in cases where reuse is technically unsuitable is, according to the statement, essential to ensure that the regulation remains workable and fit for purpose.

The full joint industry statement provides a detailed assessment of the technical, operational, and policy implications of reuse targets for transport packaging.

Edana Homepage

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

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).