#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2019-04-11

IDEA® 2019 successfully returns to Miami Beach

IDEA® 2019, the world’s preeminent event for nonwovens and engineered fabric professionals, welcomed 6,500+ participants and 509 exhibiting companies from 75 countries across the entire nonwovens and engineered fabrics supply chain to make business connections in Miami Beach, FL.

The 20th edition of IDEA® 2019, March 25-28 broke a display record for the event filling 168,600 square feet of exhibit space (15,663 square meters)within the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. The new record represents a nine percent increase in display space over IDEA® 2016 as industry participants expressed their business confidence through larger exhibition booths.

The triennial event organized by INDA featured seven new nonwovens training classes, market presentations from China, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, industry recognitions with the IDEA® Achievement Awards, the IDEA® Lifetime Achievement Award, and a welcome reception celebration of INDA’s 50th anniversary.

Exhibitors and attendees noted the large number of industry senior leaders participating in the three-day event. “IDEA provided exceptionally strong metrics in leadership presence this year.

The event attracted a high level of key decision makers, a testimonial to the show’s importance within the international nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.

“The quality of attendees and visitors was exceptional,” said Mark Steinbrecher, Sales Manager, OPTIMA Nonwovens. According to Pat Mahoney, Key Account Manager at Berry Global, the absorbent hygiene prospective activity was “more than expected.”

“The size and scope of the booths were impressive,” according to Pedro Camerena Torres, Chief Commercial Officer with Polimeros y Derivados of Mexico.

Other highlights of IDEA® 2019:

The presentation of the IDEA®?Achievement Awards – sponsored by INDA and Nonwovens Industry Magazine – recognized companies in five categories for the best new products introduced since IDEA® 2016. Competing among over 50 nominees, the winners of the IDEA® 2019?Achievement Awards were:

IDEA® 2019 Equipment Achievement Award:

A.Celli Nonwovens S.P.A. – A. Celli Vision System

IDEA® 2019 Raw Materials Achievement Award:

Lenzing AG – Veocel™ Lyocell Fibers

IDEA® 2019 Roll Goods Achievement Award:

Fitesa – Fitesa 100% Biobase PLA Soft

IDEA® 2019 Short-Life?Converted Product Achievement Award:

Callaly – Tampliner®

IDEA® 2019 Long-Life?Converted Product Achievement Award:

Soteria Battery Innovation Group – Soteria Battery Architecture

The IDEA® 2019 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award is selected by the editors of Nonwovens Industry Magazine. This year editors found a unique supporter and developer of the entrepreneurial spirit rather than a specific product invention.

P&G Venture Labs is the recipient of the IDEA® 2019 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, first, for helping aging adults perform daily self-care activities and preserving personal dignity and independence, and secondly, for alleviating symptoms of menopause driven by the loss of estrogen over time.

Capping off the awards event, Rousse recognized the accomplishments of Robert Julius, President of Nice-Pak Products, Inc. in awarding him the IDEA®?Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Julius was recognized for his lifetime commitment to research, quality, innovation, and service. Nice-Pak and PDI have pioneered the development of wet wipe products and markets globally, that serve the consumer, commercial, healthcare, and contract markets.

IDEA® Training Opportunities:

For the first time IDEA® offered short course and refresher training. Over 260 industry professionals took advantage of INDA’s essential training on Nonwovens Basics, Wet Wipes, Absorbent Hygiene, and Filter Media for air and liquid taught by renowned industry experts.

INDA’s 50th Anniversary Welcome Reception:

Over 500 participants enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music, and video in paying homage to 1968, the year INDA was formed and a year when a gallon of gasoline cost 34 cents and a loaf of bread cost 22 cents. The anniversary welcome reception enabled INDA to express appreciation for the continuous support from its members and commit to continuing its mission to advance the success of the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry and its members.

IDEA® 2022 will be held March 28-31, 2022 again at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.inda.org.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

INDA announces finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award. A highlight of the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Technology Conference, this award recognizes groundbreaking nonwoven-based innovations with the potential to advance the industry.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Cinte Techtextil China proves to be dynamic international platform and launchpad for new market potential

After three days of facilitating meaningful exchange for numerous applications of technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China 2025 concluded on 5 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Feedback across the fairground was highly positive, especially from first-time exhibitors and buyers who valued the platform’s capability to create new opportunities both in China and overseas markets.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.