[pageLogInLogOut]

#Index 2017

Winner of the FILTREX Innovation Award 2017 announced

The first ever FILTREX Innovation Award was won by Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. Votes were submitted confidentially by industry professionals attending FILTREX™ Europe, the leading nonwovens filter media conference and tabletop exhibition, being held in Geneva on the 5th and 6th April 2017 in conjunction with INDEX™17.
Sector officially recognizes innovation in the filtration industry for the first time.

The FILTREX™ Innovation Award recognize the efforts of all manufacturers of nonwoven based filtration products/elements and celebrate their continuous efforts for excellence and innovation. The occasion marks the first time the sector has officially recognized innovation in the filtration industry.

The five nominees each presented a 10-minute showcase of their innovation during the FILTREX™ conference. Freudenberg were then announced as winners at an award ceremony at the Château des Bois, Geneva, where they received a specially commissioned trophy featuring an artist’s view of a filter media performance. It was noted at the event that the award carried significant merit as it was voted for exclusively by industry peers.

Freudenberg were honoured for their brand new micronAir® blue filter. The filter is a highly efficient four-layer particle filter that features a patented two layered filter media focusing on PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles as well as a combi-filter that protects against harmful gases and an anti-allergen filter layer. The new product, to be used principally in cars, eliminates almost 100% of occurring allergens and protects against microorganisms such as bacteria and fungal spores.

Alexander Oelsner stated "There is immense pride in this achievement. I hope this initiative will further innovation and collaboration across our industry. Together we can achieve so much"

Pic:Alexander Oelsner with Fredenberg colleague Uwe G. Haefner (c) 2017 Edana

Award nominees, in alphabetic order, were as follows:

Ahlstrom Tampere Ahlstrom Statguard™: A filter media suitable for bag filters that reduce the explosion risk, because of added conductive properties.

Europlasma  Nanofics®: A high-tech finishing process which improves filter performance but reduces the consumption of energy and chemicals in manufacturing.

Freudenberg Filtration Technologies microAir® blue: A cabin air filter consisting of four filter layers for total protection against air pollution, including allergens.

Johns Manville A 3-layer hybrid filter media for the production of bag filters

Sandler sawasscreen® enAIRsave®: A new pocket filter media with improved energy efficiency.

More News from EDANA

#Nonwovens

2025 Nonwoven production in Greater Europe: European Nonwovens Industry remains strong amid challenging market conditions

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, released today the European annual statistics for 2025, offering a comprehensive picture of the nonwovens industry in Greater Europe. This information shows an overview of the industry’s strength and resilience across the region. According to the figures collected and compiled by EDANA, overall nonwovens production in Europe declined by around 2.2% in 2025, reaching 2,919,000 tonnes.

#Nonwovens

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).

#INDEX 2026

EDANA unveils nominees for INDEX™26 Awards: Highlighting the next generation of nonwoven excellence

EDANA is proud to unveil the highly anticipated nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, these finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance.

#INDEX 2026

INDEX™26: Pioneering highlights at the World’s leading nonwovens exhibition

INDEX™26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at PALEXPO in Geneva. The upcoming edition serves as a hub for innovation, inspiration, and networking with international decision-makers, positioning itself as a cross-industry platform for exchange across all nonwoven sectors. With 600 exhibitors expected, INDEX™26 represents the entire value chain of the industry, from raw materials and machinery to producers of nonwovens, components, and converters.

More News on Index 2017

Latest News

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil celebrates Milan Design Week honoring partnerships with Patricia Urquiola and Alcova Milano

Heimtextil is represented at Milan Design Week with its strong design partners Patricia Urquiola and Alcova. At Villa Pestarini, the leading trade fair spotlighted its dynamic collaborations with acclaimed designer Patricia Urquiola and Alcova Milano.

#Texprocess 2026

Kornit Digital expands digital production into footwear and technical textiles with Presto MAX PLUS

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today unveiled the Kornit Presto MAX PLUS, a new roll-to-roll system expanding digital manufacturing into footwear, automotive interiors, military camouflage, high-performance sportswear, and high-end furnishings. Debuting at Texprocess 2026 in Frankfurt, Presto MAX PLUS enables entirely new applications for on-demand textile production.

#Textile processing

NATULON® zipper series surpasses 50% of YKK’s global zipper sales

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) announces that the global sales share of its NATULON® zipper series—zippers that incorporate recycled materials—has exceeded 50%.

#Smart Textiles

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.

TOP