[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens

Celebrating Innovation

IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025 Awards

Innovation has always been the heartbeat of the nonwovens and filtration industries. At the co-located IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025 exhibitions in Miami Beach, this spirit once again took center stage with the presentation of the prestigious IDEA® Achievement Awards and the FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards.

The ceremonies, held on April 29 and 30, honored companies whose technologies and products are not only shaping their respective markets, but also addressing global challenges such as sustainability, resource efficiency, and consumer well-being.

Recognizing Industry Excellence

Presented in collaboration with Nonwovens Industry magazine, the IDEA® Achievement Awards spanned six categories, ranging from equipment and raw materials to sustainability advancement. The FiltXPO™ Awards, organized in partnership with International Filtration News, celebrated breakthrough solutions in air/gas filtration, liquid filtration, and filtration equipment.

“The recipients of the IDEA and FiltXPO Awards exemplify the ingenuity and forward-thinking that drive our industries forward,” said Matt O’Sickey, PhD, Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA. “Their groundbreaking products are not only shaping the future of nonwovens and filtration—they are redefining what’s possible. These innovations remind us that progress is built on vision, persistence, and a commitment to solving the challenges of tomorrow.”

IDEA® Equipment Achievement Award – Dilo Systems GmbH

The Equipment Award went to Dilo Systems for its MicroPunch technology. Against the backdrop of rising energy costs and water scarcity, MicroPunch provides a consolidation method for lightweight nonwovens that reduces energy consumption by up to 75% compared with conventional techniques. The result: high-performance fabrics with significantly lower environmental impact and operating costs. For Dilo, already a leader in needle punching and line integration, MicroPunch represents a paradigm shift towards more sustainable production methods.




More News from textile.4U

More News on Nonwovens

#Spinning

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

#Raw Materials

Kimberly-Clark develops alternative natural fiber platform for hygiene products

Kimberly-Clark has introduced a proprietary innovation program aimed at developing alternative natural fibers for future hygiene products. The company has created a patented materials platform based on fibers derived from hesperaloe, a drought-tolerant succulent native to the southwestern United States.

#Nonwovens

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

#Functional Fabrics

Ahlstrom launches breathable ChemoGard BVB fabric to enhance protection and comfort in chemotherapy handling

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, announces today the launch of ChemoGard BVB, a breathable protective apparel fabric designed for chemotherapy drug handling in clinical, laboratory, and operating room environments.

Latest News

#Recycled Fibers

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

#Man-Made Fibers

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

#Research & Development

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

TOP