#Associations

2020-05-14

INDA launches “Allies against COVID-19” website connecting industry resources with needs

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced a new portal on the inda.org website: Allies Against COVID-19. The new site connects suppliers with buyers and increases awareness of actions by nonwoven & engineered fabric producers in the fight against COVID-19. The website details such actions from 71 INDA member companies that span the entire supply chain.

The actions range from advancement in cutting edge viricidal and antimicrobial treatments to increased capacity and through-put to manufacture face masks, gowns, disinfectant wipes, and community outreach. Companies are listed alphabetically and include contacts and website links.

Medical, academic, and government entities are encouraged to connect with INDA member companies and join in the fight against the pandemic. The website will be continually updated and invites contributions on shareyourstory@inda.org.

“INDA is a resource connector in this effort to provide the necessary PPE materials and disinfectant wipes to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re witnessing fast and strong contributions by the nonwoven & engineered fabrics community in this effort. INDA is proud to support our members by giving notice to their efforts to contribute to this noble cause,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.

The site encourages all industry professionals to share ideas that advance business and identify opportunities for available donations of materials to slow the spread of the pandemic.

https://www.inda.org/indamembers/covid.html

INDA honors four industry leaders with 2026 Lifetime Service and Technical Achievement Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the four distinguished recipients of the 2026 INDA Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs, and CK Wong are being recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry and strengthening the global community it serves.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

Driving digitalization, efficiency, and Smart Manufacturing across textiles and carpets

At this year’s ITM, BMSvision proudly showcases its next leap forward in digital manufacturing excellence. As a long-standing global pioneer in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for the textile and plastics industries, BMSvision continues to accelerate digital transformation by delivering powerful, data-driven solutions that boost productivity, enhance quality and support sustainable growth. Visit BMSvision at the Vandewiele booth in Hall 7, Booth 710, to experience the future of textiles manufacturing.

The Good Cashmere Standard expands Animal Welfare Assessment on audited farms

With the Animal-related Animal Welfare Assessment (ARAWA), the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) conducts a pioneering project for the second consecutive year in 2025, parallel to the independent verifications of The Good Cashmere Standard® (GCS). ARAWA assessments provide a comprehensive overview of the health status of a herd on an audited farm, going beyond standard verification procedures. They are inherently complex, which still makes them a rarity in the standard sector, but offer support in identifying non-conformities and provide a holistic overview of the herd's well-being. Therefore, the Aid by Trade Foundation will continue this crucial project and even further expand it by 2027.

INDEX™26: A strong edition in a challenging context, confirming Geneva’s role as a global hub for innovation in the nonwovens sector

EDANA’s INDEX™26, the world’s leading trade fair for nonwovens, co-organised with Palexpo, officially concluded last Friday 22 May with a successful edition. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens’ ecosystem.

Mimaki celebrates Triple EDP Award win at FESPA 2026

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, was presented with 3 EDP Awards at the association’s 2026 ceremony, held at FESPA Global Print Expo. These highly acclaimed awards celebrate best-in-class innovation across the print industry, and Mimaki was honoured in three different categories.