#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-02-20

Industry leaders to move toward a future with cleaner air and water at FiltXPO

Industry leaders from across sectors will move together toward a future world with cleaner air and water when they converge next week at Chicago’s Navy Pier for the FiltXPO™ International Filtration/Separation Exhibition & Technical Conference, Feb. 26-28. More than 1,000 attendees will gather for the three-day event to seek solutions for improved filtration and separation materials, equipment and technologies and to forge a new vision for this growing segment.

“With such a large convergence of thought leaders in one place, the outlook to chart future strategies for the segment is extremely favorable,” says FiltXPO Conference Chair, Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Industry Research and Extension, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University, and Executive Director, The Nonwovens Institute. “We are excited to provide the stage to set the next era in filtration and separation at FiltXPO.”

Challenges and opportunities will be addressed during in-depth presentations, education and training, product exhibitions and networking. Industry leaders participating in FiltXPO include sponsor, Kimberly-Clark Professional; A2Z Filtration Specialties Pvt. Ltd.; Neenah Gessner GmbH; Parker Hannifin Corporation and Reifenhäuser REICOFIL GmbH & Co. KG, among others.

Registration for FiltXPO is still available online with discounts offered for partnering association members.

33 Speakers: Business and academic leaders who are subject matter experts in their fields will share scientific research and cover new findings and trends in such key areas as biopharmaceutical filtration, membrane filtration, nanofiber-enhanced meltblown materials, and energy technologies and applications across all sectors of filtration and separation.

200 Innovators: Global business relationships will be cemented between top producers and decision makers during the three days of exhibitions at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. Among the exhibitors showcasing exciting new offerings are 5K Fibres, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Hollingsworth & Vose, JCEM Inc., Lydall Inc. and Pleating Systems & Equipment.

One-and-a-Half Training Days: Chris Plotz, INDA’s Director of Education & Technical Affairs, will lead a Filter Media Training Course Feb. 25-26 providing a complete overview of existing and emerging nonwoven technologies, testing and the application of nonwovens in filtration.

Keynotes:

Air and Gas Filtration – Gas Phase and Particulate Filtration: Delivering Advanced Solutions with Performance Materials, Michael O’Laughlin, Vice President, Advanced Solutions, Lydall Performance Materials, Inc.

Biopharmaceutical – Next Generation Technologies to Support Advanced Biomanufacturing, Michael Phillips, Ph.D., Technical Director of Next Generation BioProcessing R&D, MilliporeSigma

Filter Media Modeling – Understanding Airborne Dust and Droplet Filtration Via Multiscale Modeling and Experiment, Hooman V. Tafreshi, Ph.D., Qimonda Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University

Membrane Technologies – Contamination Control Using Membrane Technologies: An Understanding of Market Needs and Solutions, Aflal Rahmathullah, Ph.D., Global Engineering Manager, Integrated Venting Solutions, Donaldson Company, Inc.

Nanofiber Filter Media – Nanofiber Membranes for Water Treatment, Stanislav Petrik, Director, Technical University of Liberec

Water Filtration – Engineering the Next Generation of Membrane Materials Needed to Achieve Global Water Sustainability Goals, Eric M.V. Hoek, Ph.D., Professor of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and Director of UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge

2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® finalists revealed

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the three finalists for the 2026 World of WipesInnovation Award®. The finalists are The Clorox Company for their Clorox™ Refreshables™, Lenzing Fibers, Inc. for their Lenzing™ DualWipe, and Rockline Industries for their First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe.

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.

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.

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.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.