#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-12-10

INDA remembers Ian Butler, former Director of Market Research & Statistics

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry warmly remembers Ian Butler, INDA’s former Director of Market Research & Statistics, a distinguished authority of the nonwovens industry, and mourns his passing on December 3rd, at the age of 78 in Toronto, Canada.

Butler was recruited by INDA in 1997 and created the role of Director of Market Research & Statistics. For over three decades he served the nonwovens industry by providing valuable market and business intelligence reports on North America, China, and worldwide, as well as providing numerous handbooks on various technologies.

Under his direction, INDA’s market and business intelligence became renowned for accuracy, reliability, and insightful analysis. Butler was also a frequent speaker at INDA and industry events providing his expert insights on various market sectors’ growth in the nonwovens industry.

Butler’s vast nonwovens experience included leadership positions in Stearns Canada, Airform Fabrics, Veratec Canada Inc., International Paper, and his own company, International Nonwovens Consulting, Inc. before subsequently joining INDA.

“INDA is saddened by the loss of an industry leader who was an integral part of INDA’s growth,” said INDA President Dave Rousse. “He was a strong nonwovens advocate who tirelessly provided crucial market research our members needed in making key decisions to advance their business and products.”

Butler received his Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in 1966 and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Toronto in 1972. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his brother, his children, and his grandchildren.

Ian Butler, INDA’s former Director of Market Research & Statistics © 2020 INDA

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.

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.