#Index 2017

2017-03-24

Netting solutions for a world of nonwovens

Conwed, the leading plastic netting manufacturer in the world, will share its latest innovations at INDEX 17. Recently acquired by Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. – SWM, Conwed brings 50 years of netting innovation to the SWM Advanced Materials and Structures (AMS) division.

This division focuses on resin-based rolled goods and has been formed with three recent acquisitions: DelStar Technologies, acquired in 2013, Argotec, acquired in late 2015, and Conwed Plastics acquired in 2017.

Conwed netting is an essential component in hundreds of industrial and consumer products in many different industries worldwide. From automotive, filtration and medical applications to hygiene, disposable and consumer products, manufacturers, OEMs and converters incorporate the netting to achieve lightweight reinforcement and stretchability.

Uniquely designed for hygiene and apparel applications, Conwed manufactures Flat Rebound, an elastomeric netting with flat joints to create smooth and highly breathable nonwoven composites. It is used in composite form with nonwovens and other substrates acting as an alternative to spandex, films and stretchable nonwovens. In hygiene products, it is used in waistbands and side panels in adult incontinence briefs and underwear and in baby training pants.

Conwed netting is also used to create superior composites by incorporating netting with other substrates using different techniques, such as extrusion coating, extrusion lamination, thermal lamination, ultrasonic welding, wet and dry adhesive lamination and diverse nonwoven processes. For a complete overview of how to incorporate Conwed netting in different production processes, visit the step-by-step section called Plastic Netting 101.

As part of SWM international the customers gain access to a complete line of films, paper, nownovens and value-added netting for diverse industry applications.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.